Rage players learn reading is "fun"-damental
March 1, 2006 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
RiverCity Rage News Release
The St. Louis Mills Mall in Hazelwood was the place for a very special RiverCity Rage timeout on Tuesday. As part of the Muggsy's Meadow Kids Club reading program, Rage players Mike Lawrence, Clay Groefsema and Anthony Fisher spent the better part of an hour with pre-school youngsters, all of whom delighted in hearing the athletes read from such well know children's books as The Fire Engine Book, Curious George Feeds The Animals, and the ever popular Sesame Street City âSing a Song' Book. The players were joined by Rage defensive backfield coach Jeff Hunt, and Tiffany from the Rage Cheerleading team.
The format was simple; read from the book, hold it up high to allow everyone to see the pictures, then repeat the process. Occasionally, a giggle, a roar of laughter, even once or twice a player would rise and return a wandering toddler to his or her mother. All in all a fun way to spend a morning being part of the Upsprouts Program at the St. Louis Mills Mall, which boasts of two other age levels of activity for local youngsters and reaches out to some 1500 children in the North St. Louis County community. Programs range from sports lessons to learn by doing, even a special report card program that rewards kids with various coupons for a vast number of shops in the mall.
For the Rage players, Coach Hunt and Tiffany, it was the chance to bond with VERY young fans, and get word out in the mall that a very special season is about to get underway. But it was also a chance to do what young role models should do, give back to the community, the fans and the sponsors of the team. Rage quarterback Anthony Fisher said it best, stating "It's nice to be able to offer some time to the community, especially children. Sure, these are toddlers, they're not gonna buy tickets to the games, but it's fun to be able to do something to make them smile, entertain them and have fun." Then with a grin he said, "hey, I even learned something I didn't know about Curious George."
Cindy Schuester is the Marketing Coordinator for the St. Louis Mills Mall and says the events held numerous times during the months are "a free activity that moms can take advantage of and it also gives the children a chance to interact with each other. It's fun for everyone and the kids certainly have a great time."
For Clay, Anthony, Mike, Coach Hunt and Tiffany, it was also a thrill to be able to autograph post-card like pictures of themselves for the moms and the youngsters, and the fun-filled morning was topped off when âRaggey' made a surprise appearance and regaled the children and their moms with plenty of hugs and high-fives!
The Rage will be part of the Muggsy's Meadow agenda in April with a free football clinic at the St. Louis Mills Mall. Anyone wishing to enrol a child in the Muggsy's Meadow program can do so on line at Stlouismills.com or Muggsysmeadow.com. Age levels are from 0 to 12.
The RiverCity Rage of the National Indoor Football League begin play on March 18 in Houston, before returning to St. Louis for the 2006 Home Opener at Savvis Center on Sunday, March 26th with a 3pm Kick-off. All other Rage home games will be played on Friday night.
The Rage is part of the 24 team NIFL, set to begin it's 6th season of play. Tickets for all RiverCity Rage home games can be purchased at the Savvis Center box office, or on line at Ticketmaster.com. For all RiverCity Rage information in 2006, visit the team website at www.ragefootball.com.
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National Indoor Football League Stories from March 1, 2006
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