Wingate Men’s Basketball Team Reads To Local Elementary Students

WINGATE, N.C. -- The Wingate University men's basketball team will spend eight weeks this academic year reading to students at Union Academy in Monroe. Head coach Parker Laketa and team members are focusing their efforts in the first grade classroom of Joy Marlow.

"I think it is very important for our players to give back to the community," Laketa says. "We are having a great experience at Union Academy. I hope we can continue to work with the students at Union Academy (in the future)."

During the reading time, the Wingate student-athletes are able to choose from a wide variety of books. A favorite author for the Union Academy students is Dr. Seuss. "The children look forward to our visits," Laketa adds. "It is the highlight of their day. I hope they (the children) realize we get so much out of this experience. I know our guys are excited about the opportunity."

Wingate University men's basketball player Kenny Villines reads to a student at Union Academy in Monroe, N.C.

Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a private four-year co-educational institution of 2,041 students, offering active learning opportunities through personalized instruction, world travel, faith development, career discovery and community service.

Wingate offers more than 40 undergraduate majors in arts and sciences, business, education, fine arts, music and sport sciences. It also offers pre-professional programs, graduate degrees in business, education, physical education and sport administration and the doctor of pharmacy degree.

In the spring of 2007, Wingate University awarded its first-ever doctor of pharmacy degrees. Bulldog student-athletes compete in 17 NCAA Division II sports.