For Immediate Release: Thursday, October 24, 2002
Contact: Dave Geringer, UTPA Director of Athletic Media Relations, (956) 381-2240

UTPA KICKS OFF ADOPT-A-SCHOOL PROGRAM
 

EDINBURG, TX-The 2002-2003 edition of The University of Texas-Pan American Athletic Department's Adopt-a-School Program is officially underway.

UTPA Athletics officially kicked off the program with a luncheon Thursday afternoon at the Echo Hotel and Restaurant. The program, which is now in its fifth year, is designed to give grade school students the opportunity to interact with Texas-Pan American student-athletes and discuss issues relevant to their lives. Students at each participating elementary school have the opportunity to visit the UT Pan American campus, attend practices of their host team, and attend other UTPA home athletic events. The program also allows UTPA student-athletes to serve as role models for elementary school students in the Rio Grande Valley.

"The Adopt-A-School Program is indicative of our athletic department's continued commitment towards community involvement and service," said UTPA Director of Athletics William J. Weidner. "This partnership with the Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District and the local community provides an excellent opportunity for our student-athletes to experience the true value of community service. As ambassadors of our athletic department and The University of Texas-Pan American, our student-athletes can serve as excellent role models for today's youth, and hopefully make a positive contribution to their continued development in regards to striving to be the best that they can be in all of their endeavors. We appreciate the involvement of our coaches and student-athletes, as well as the continued tremendous support we have received from Superintendent Eugenio Gutierrez, Jr; the principals, and the teachers of the school district."

"The program provides role models for our elementary school students, and gives students the ability to see that they can achieve," said Dominga Vela, the principal at Jefferson Elementary School. "In order to go forward, you need a university education, and seeing how far education has taken the student-athletes indicates a self-fulfilling goal. Athletics provides students with pride and self-discipline, and plays an important part in a student's development as a person."
"It's a wonderful opportunity for college students to serve as role models for students at the elementary school level," said Edna Olivarez, the principal at Travis Elementary School. "Our students look up to the athletes, and the program opens up opportunities for our students to connect with people in higher education. Last year, we took our students to a basketball game, and it was a wonderful experience. We have a wonderful university in our back yard, and we need to take advantage of the opportunity that it provides us."

Elementary schools included in the program are Cano/Gonzalez, Canterbury, De La Vina, Escandon, Freddy Gonzalez, Jefferson, Lee, San Carlos, Travis and Zavala.

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