University of Tennessee Athletics
April Play Day Goes Over Well Despite Poor Weather
April 15, 2005 | General
April 15, 2005
Despite the rainy day that fell upon the Knoxville area on April 13 there were smiles to pass around inside Thompson-Boling Arena and Assembly Center as "Team VOLS" and student-athletes from the men's and women's athletic departments came together to greet the more than 450 children from eight local Knoxville Boys and Girls Clubs to take part in April Play Day.
This annual event provides a great opportunity for the University of Tennessee and the student-athletes to give back to the community that supports them.
April Play Day allows the children to interact with the student-athletes in various games and activities, such as basketball, the baseball toss, face painting and getting a chance to have their picture made and seek an autograph with some of the student-athletes participating.
To end the evening, women's basketball coach Pat Summitt stopped by to talk to the kids about their goals and ambitions and reminded them that without an education their goals could not be achieved.
"If you want to be a winner, and you want to be successful in life... make sure you take care of your academics," said Summitt.
The kids also walked away with goodie bags from various sponsors with free movie passes, an autographed football and other items.
"For "Team VOLS" April Play Day is a great way to show the Boys and Girls Club how much we appreciate them and how much we enjoy volunteering with them. It gives them a chance to come out and have some fun, meet some athletes, and see that UT is not that scary of a place and not that far away," said Robyn Nelson, Team VOLS graduate advisor.
"We want them to see that UT is not that scary of a place to be and after going to see the college they can tell their friends it was a lot of fun. Ultimately, we hope the long term impact is that they think of going to college in the future."
