COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Students at Cookeville's Park View
Elementary School got a surprise recently when freshman Katherine
Barker and assistant coach Coretta Brown paid a visit on behalf of
the Tennessee Tech women's basketball program. The pair spent time
in the school's library reading stories to second graders.
"Community services activities such as reading in area schools are
very important to our program," said first-year coach Sytia Messer.
"It's an opportunity for our young ladies to be role models within
the community and to work with these young children in a sincere
manner.
"It's a learning experience for our student-athletes, as well,"
Messer said. "Katherine was thrilled and honored to go out and
spend some time with the kids at Park View. Sometimes life is
bigger than basketball."
Like many of Tech's teams, the Golden Eagle women's basketball
team participates in a number of community activities throughout
the year as part of the CHAMPS Life Skills program.
Messer's Golden Eagles captured their Ohio Valley Conferenence
opener last Saturday at Jacksonville State, and are back in action
this coming Saturday afternoon in Eblen Center when they host
Southern Illinois in a 4 p.m. game, the second game of a
doubleheader. The Tech men's team opens play Saturday with a 2 p.m.
contest against Ball State.
For tickets, please call (931) 372-3940 or visit the Athletics
Ticket Office in Eblen Center.
