The new Eagle High football head coach James Cluphf has started a new program called the “Eagle Readers”. Although it is only the first year of the program, it is safe to say that it, so far, is a huge success. Essentially, the program has players from both the Junior Varsity and Varsity squads visit local elementary schools.
When visiting, they help out in the classrooms and hangout with the kids. The players help out by assisting with assignments and homework. They also compete in some backyard football and basketball, as well as just hanging out with younger students at recess.
“It’s been fun doing Eagle Readers. It’s a cool and positive thing that we can do for the local kids and schools,” said junior Anthony Toomey.
This program has had a very positive impact on not only the students, but the impact has spread to the players as well. Some of the elementary schools that are part of the program just so happen to be the same elementary school that a few players attended as kids. This is the case for players sophomores Scott Heaton and Will Anderson.
“I was really excited to go back to Seven Oaks. I had been looking forward to it. It was really crazy how different everything seemed,” said sophomore Will Anderson.
Anderson and Heaton both shared the experience of attending Seven Oaks for their elementary school years as well as revisiting now as players.
“Going to Seven Oaks again was cool. I got to see some old teachers and walk around the school again,” said sophomore Scott Heaton.
The experience to say in the least has been very fulfilling for the players involved in the program. The kids were immensely excited when the players were visiting Seven Oaks Elementary. Kids were going up to the players and asking questions such as, “Are you a real football player?” with disbelief. The players had to show them game pictures just to prove to the kids that they were truly players for Eagle High.
The kids’ excitement did not stop there, however. They started walking up to players sophomore Will Anderson and junior Jake Benson asking for autographs. When the school day ended for these kids, they very reluctantly left saying thank you and bye to the Eagle High players.
This program will hopefully prove successful and have a positive effect on players and kids in the future. The programs allow kids to meet these players that they look up to. These visits inspire these kids to work hard, whether it’s at football to be like these players or work hard on one’s passion.
