April 21, 2005
WACO, Texas - Baylor basketball players Richard Hurd and Turner Phipps visited South Waco Elementary Friday. The school organized a pep rally for third through fifth grade students to encourage them when taking the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills, or TAKS, test this week.
Hurd, a freshman forward, led the students in a TAKS cheer to get them excited about the test. He also explained how important it is to get their work done and how proud their teachers will be of them when they do well.
"You have to believe in yourself to pass the test," Hurd said.
Phipps, a sophomore guard, gave examples of how nervous he used to be when he took tests. However, he said when he started taking the tests, he realized he knew the information and was able to relax because it was what the teachers had taught him.
Phipps explained to the kids that they need to have courage when taking the TAKS test, just like he as a basketball player must have courage when playing a game.
Phipps also encouraged the students to take responsibility for their actions, study and be prepared.
"You need to get to bed early and eat right before the test. Even now the coaches still remind us how important it is to eat breakfast," Phipps said.
Students asked the players questions about college and playing basketball. The pep rally ended with another cheer for the TAKS test. After the assembly, 45 students deemed "Fabulously Behaving Individuals," or FBI's, were allowed to stay and get posters signed by the players. South Waco Principal Dr. Ruth Harvin was grateful to have the players come out to her school.
"The student population needs to hear something from young people - someone they can look up to. The basketball players are really motivating the students and the students are just mesmerized by them," Harvin said.
Coach Pam Fischer said the students were still talking about the pep rally when they got to school the next day. She explained how important it is for these kids to see these athletes going to college.
"It just gives them the idea, and that idea can grow into their own dream," she said.
This school visit is just one example of how Baylor athletes are involved in many Waco community relations programs. For more information, please call Baylor Athletic Marketing at 710-3073.
