CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. --- While preparing for the 2009 softball season the Chattanooga softball team has still found time to give back to the community. Over the past few weeks the Lady Mocs have been traveling to local elementary schools to read to children.
This is the eighth year that members of the UTC softball team have been participating in "Read with Reed", named after head softball coach
Frank Reed. This year Reed and his Lady Mocs went to Gordon Lee High School, Brainerd Baptist and Westview Elementary.
"Reading builds a strong foundation for children's lives," Reed said. "At UTC we teach our players that academics come first, so we are practicing what we are preaching. This also helps the kids develop role models and it gives the program exposure."
The team has also been handing out bookmarks to numerous schools in Hamilton County, Tenn. and North Ga.
"I feel it is important to give back to the community because so many people come and support us," said sophomore outfielder
Lauren Flores. "I remember being a kid and looking up to older athletes, so I feel reading to the children allows them to get to know us."
"I believe it is very important for us to read to children because it can help influence the children about going to college and succeeding," sophomore infielder
Della Harrison said. "It also gives them a role model to look up to."
The Lady Mocs' next contest will be on Thursday, Feb. 12 against No. 3 Arizona State. First pitch is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET from Tempe, Ariz. All of the action can be followed on live stats at GoMocs.com.
