April 6, 2007

Spring Break ended Monday for the UIC Flames.

So it was back to school--elementary school, that is--for members of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) as part of "Hangin' with the Flames."

Earlier this week, thanks to the JP2 Newman Foundation serving as catalyst, some of the athletic department's finest role models took to the community, visiting St. Ann Catholic School in Pilsen, speaking to kids about the importance of balancing time in school and conducting a series of sport clinics stressing fun while teaching basic skills.

"The students had a great time and really enjoyed spending time with the student-athletes in the gym and in the classroom," said Benny Morten, St. Ann's principal. "We look forward to continuing our partnership in the future."

For the student-athletes, it was a day to make new friends and realize the impact they are capable of making on young fans.

"I had so much fun teaching and interacting with the kids," said Flames volleyball player Liz Hrebic. "I really like trying to be a role model for the kids because I had such great role models as I was growing up. Everyone at St. Ann was great!"

As the sixth-eighth graders rotated around different sports stations tutored by UIC student-athletes, other members of SAAC went room-to-room to visit younger students and distribute Flames notepads.

Teachers or students wishing to have UIC student-athletes, coaches and staff visit their school and host a "Hangin' with the Flames" event should call (312) 355-1330 for more information.

About the JP2 Newman Foundation
http://www.jp2foundation.com/   

About St. Ann Catholic School
http://www.stanncrusaders.org/