Learning with Baseball Program begins Monday
Published on January 20, 2004 under Eastern League (EL1)
Reading Fightin Phils News Release
FirstEnergy Stadium â The Reading Phillies are set to launch the Sovereign Bank Learning with Baseball program on Monday, January 26. Presented by Sovereign Bank and the Reading Eagle Company, Learning with Baseball is thought to be the most comprehensive educational baseball program in Minor League Baseball. It utilizes the national pastime to teach kids about everything from math and geography to the lessons of life.
This is the seventh off-season that the Reading Phillies have presented this type of program to local schools. Thanks to the sponsors, the program remains free of charge.
"Sovereign Bank believes in the importance of education - and we look at this as an excellent opportunity to assist the schools in our community," said Christine Pembroke, VP Director 601 The Sovereign Ad Agency. "We are proud to underwrite the Buzz Hannahan Learning with Baseball program."
Reading Phillies infielder Buzz Hannahan will be the featured speaker at the Learning with Baseball assemblies, which are scheduled for Berks County elementary and middle schools from January 26 through February 6 and again March 1-5. Hannahan will be escorted to the schools in the Tobacco Free Express and will be joined by R-Phils mascot Screwball.
"Buzz is the perfect ambassador for these assemblies," said Reading assistant general manager Scott Hunsicker. "He's full of energy, relates well to kids and his personal experiences provide great motivation. He definitely makes learning fun, which is something we want to emphasize with this program."
"I hope to inspire at least one kid to go after their dream," said Hannahan of his goals for the program. "When that one kid goes after their dream I hope he or she writes me when they have achieved it. I also hope they put their Play Stations down, pick up a book, join the reading program and walk away knowing how important education is."
Hannahan will provide two 45-minute presentations per day highlighting the importance of teamwork, dedication and fulfilling dreams to kids grades K-8. The assemblies will conclude with a brief question and answer session. Teachers will also be able to make use of special Learning with Baseball workbooks for future lessons.
Approximately 17,000 students will get to participate in the program, which also includes a free ticket to a Reading Phillies game for one of several Learning with Baseball Graduation Nights. Along with admission, all students will receive coupons for a soda, hot dog, and Phillies Phunland pass. They will be presented with a graduation certificate signed by Hannahan and will have the opportunity to appear on the video board and announce their name over the public address system at the ballpark.
As part of the Sovereign Bank Learning with Baseball program, students from schools that did not have an assembly can still participate by earning a free game ticket in one of several other ways. Kids can be nominated to be an Outstanding Student or they can come to one of two afternoon games (April 21 and May 12) during the school year in which Sovereign Bank is providing complimentary tickets to students. They can also receive a game ticket for reading a certain number of books in the Learning with Baseball reading program, which is new for 2004.
Anyone interested in becoming involved with the Learning with Baseball, Outstanding Student or Learning with Baseball reading program should contact Ashley Forlini at 610-375-8469, ext. 225.
Sovereign Bancorp, Inc., ("Sovereign") (NYSE: SOV), headquartered in Philadelphia, Pa., is the parent company of Sovereign Bank, a $41 billion financial institution with approximately 525 community banking offices, nearly 1,000 ATMs and about 8,000 team members in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. Sovereign Bank is one of the top 25 largest banking institutions in the United States. For more information on Sovereign Bank, visit www.sovereignbank.com or call 1-877-SOV-BANK.
Eastern League Stories from January 20, 2004
- Thunder Place Three on Yankees Top 10 Prospect List - Trenton Thunder
- Learning with Baseball Program begins Monday - Reading Fightin Phils
- Sea Dogs to Hold Fourth Annual Food Drive - Portland Sea Dogs
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
