The St. Thomas Aquinas College athletic department hosted its 5th Annual Take a Kid to the Game Day event. The day started with a free basketball clinic in which children from the local community had the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of the game from the college athletes. After pizza and face painting with the Spartan Dance and Cheerleading teams, the children watched the Spartans compete against the Roberts Wesleyan Raiders in two action-packed basketball games. The children were invited to experience the collegiate game day atmosphere firsthand. They filled the stands providing encouragement for the Spartans. Every child in attendance received a Spartan Take a Kid to the Game Day t-shirt and STAC basketball posters that featured the men’s and women’s teams. Following the games, the fans were able to meet their favorite players and have their posters signed during autograph sessions. With almost thirty young participants, the event provided an opportunity for the STAC student-athletes to speak to their young fans. They helped to demonstrate that their hard work in the classroom and on the court has created many opportunities in their lives.
Take a Kid to the Game Day is program that was started by the NCAA and is now in its sixteenth year. The project is a grass roots initiative that attracts the nation's youth and encourages adults to take kids to area college basketball games. With the NCAA's support, over 700 TAKG games will be hosted across the nation, which will provide thousands of youngsters the opportunity to experience college basketball.
