Sport in world

Western Illinois Athletics to launch good-student reward program Saturday

February 2, 2008 on 9:35 pm | In Athletics |

MACOMB, Ill. - As part of a new community outreach initiative, the Western Illinois University Athletics Department will launch its Honor Roll/Perfect Attendance Reward Program at this Saturday’s basketball double-header.

Through this program area students who made the honor roll or had perfect attendance last semester will be rewarded for their hard work with a free ticket to the women’s and men’s January 12 basketball games against North Dakota State.

The Westerwinds and Leathernecks will tip-off at 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., respectively, on Waste Management Court at Western Hall.

In addition to complimentary tickets and being recognized during the game, honored students will have the opportunity to meet with current Western Illinois student-athletes at an information booth provided by the Student-Athlete Academic Council and learn what it takes to be a student-athlete at the collegiate level.

“The Western Illinois University Athletics Department is committed to showing young people in our area that academics is an important part of life,” said Director of Athletics Dr. Tim Van Alstine, “whether they are young people who desire to become student-athletes at the college level, or students who wish to better their quality of life through education in general. Our student-athletes are committed to academic excellence, and we want to celebrate that with others in the community who share that same commitment.”

Due to NCAA regulations, this program is limited to elementary and junior high students. High school students are not eligible.

To register as an honor roll student, or for more information, please contact Tom Radz in the Western Illinois Athletics Department at 298-1190.

Other components of the community outreach initiative include complimentary tickets distributed to the Chamber of Commerce and Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and honor roll programs for football, softball and baseball. Similar promotions are being planned for area service organizations such as the Salvation Army and VFW.

Originaly from Source