July 25, 2006

Get your visors ready! Spurrier’s Gamecocks are taking the field at the
Richland County Public Library for Pigskin Poets, an annual program that emphasizes the importance of summer reading, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 27 in the Bostick Auditorium of the Main Library, 1431 Assembly St. Children of all ages are encouraged to attend this free program, one of many Summer Reading Club celebrations at RCPL.

Stories, games and autographs are in the morning lineup for the Gamecocks, who will kick off the 2006 season to an expected capacity crowd of 300 fans. “My favorite part is finding out what the players’ numbers are and getting their autographs,” said Pigskin Poets expert Wilhelm Elliott, who will attend his fifth program this year. “They’re always so nice, and it makes me excited about reading.”

The program, now in its ninth season, helps establish reading as a fun summer activity, encouraging children to explore the variety of books and non-print materials available at the library.

“This unique partnership with USC allows one-on-one interaction with college athletes,” said Padgett Lewis, RCPL’s public relations manager. “The players help us reiterate that reading is not only important, but cool also.”

Every year, student athletes from different athletic teams coordinate team projects by taking responsibility to serve as goodwill ambassadors not only for their respective programs, but also for the Athletics Department and the University of South Carolina as a whole. In addition, a number of student-athletes elect to perform individual community service hours in a variety of areas.

The University of South Carolina Athletics Department is committed to providing volunteer opportunities for student athletes to connect with people in the surrounding community. The greater Columbia community is invited to utilize members of Team Gamecocks to serve as role models and willing volunteers.

For more information about Pigskin Poets, please contact the Richland County Public Library at 929-3434.