Feb. 15, 2005

WACO, Texas - Baylor football athletes Geoff Nelson, Will Blaylock and Phil Tran, men's tennis head coach Matt Knoll and assistant coach Rob Cheyne read to third grade classes at South Bosque Friday. The visit was part of South Bosque's Community Reading Day, which invited community members to read to the school's children.

Knoll read a story to Mrs. Prim's class about Serena and Venus Williams, answering questions at the end of the story. He also told the children about the tennis team's 2004 NCAA Championship and what it takes to be a champion.

"Being a champion begins with doing well in school," Knoll said.

Nelson and Blaylock read "By My Brother's Side," a book about NFL stars and the importance they place on family values, hard work and determination. They informed the third grade class about the training and discipline involved with being a college football player.

Blaylock and Nelson said, "You always have ups and downs in life, but in the end you will get through it if you never give up."

Tran read to another third grade class and explained to the children that college students must study a lot, just like how the class had to study for their daily spelling test. He passed out Baylor stickers and the children thanked him with chocolate-covered strawberries.

The school visit is just one example of how Baylor athletes and coaches are involved in many Waco community relations programs. For more information, please call Baylor Athletic Marketing at 710-3073.