When the School Bell Rings, Rider Men's Basketball Supplies the Need
Rider Sports Information
LAWRENCEVILLE- As
the new school year approaches, families around the region are heading to
stores to stock up on the basics needed for a successful start to the academic
year, buying backpacks, crayons, markers, pencils and pens.
For
many in the area however, those basic needs would go unfulfilled without many
of the colleges and universities in Mercer County and Rider University and its
men's basketball program have been at the forefront of doing its part to ensure
these critical needs are met and that as many kids as possible have access to
the basic supplies for a proper education.
This
past week, the men's basketball team collected supplies and donated backpacks
filled with the afore mentioned pens, pencils, glue sticks, erasers, scissors
and even threw in a Rider tee-shirt, making a donation to Larry Richardson and
the 'It's Academic Sports Mentorship Program' in Trenton, New Jersey.
The
mentorship program is designed for elementary and middle school students.
"Our
goal was to be able to assist children who otherwise could not afford all the
things that they need to get the school year off to a good start," said head
coach Tommy Dempsey. "It is important
for our basketball program and for Rider
University to offer
assistance in our community when we have an opportunity."
The
Rider University bookstore assisted the
basketball team with a contribution of folders and Bronc key chains.
Dempsey
recalled putting his children on the school bus earlier in the week and the
pride he felt as a parent that all of their school supplies were in order and
that they were ready to face the upcoming year.
"I'm
a father of four and when I dropped off my children at the bus stop Tuesday
they were set to go and had all the necessary supplies that they needed and
that is a good feeling as a parent," Dempsey said. "You can't assume that everyone will be in
that situation so that is why we thought this might be a good opportunity to
help some families in need."
Throughout
the wins and losses on the court, it is not lost on Dempsey that as a coach, he
is an educator first.
"There
are so many people and mentors in our community who do great work to support
our youth," Dempsey said. "Any time we
have a chance to support one of these programs especially when the theme is
about the education of our children it is important that we do so."