UNLV REBELS

Feb. 5, 2009

LAS VEGAS - On Friday, January 30th, nine members of the UNLV Rebels Baseball team visited Frank Kim Elementary in Spring Valley. The nine participants were Andy Beresford, Kyle Conroy, Glenn DeWeese, Jarred Frierson, Matt Hutchison, Anthony Morel, Jay Sferra, Matt Tassinari, and Ryan Thornton.

PHOTO GALLERY

The student-athletes were split among two classrooms. Kim Elementary implemented all-boy classrooms for the 4th and 5th grades. The children in these classes were thrilled to have UNLV baseball players visit just before their season begins. Each classroom enjoyed an hour discussion with the baseball students about academics and the path towards attending college, peer pressure, and athletic demands. The other hour, children at Kim Elementary played wiffle ball with the UNLV Rebels on the field outside.

Morel told the class that his role model is his brother, and he was inspired to come to UNLV to be a successful student-athlete. Tassinari talked to the boys about surrounding themselves with good friends and to avoid trouble. All the players talked about why they chose UNLV, most from out of state. Children learned what a grade point average is and about the majors of the baseball students.

The Rebels in the 5th grade class took a seat with the children and were quizzed on fractions. Also, a 5th grader stumped some of the UNLV players with baseball trivia! The experience was fantastic for both the children at Frank Kim Elementary School and the UNLV baseball student-athletes who volunteered their time. Children received complimentary tickets to the UNLV Women's Basketball game vs. Air Force on the 31st.

UNLV student-athletes continue to impact the community as Nevada Reading Week approaches in a few weeks. Rebel student-athletes will visit 10 schools in the Clark County School District this Spring for Reading Week.