Xplorers Visit Children's Museum of Memphis

Published on June 19, 2003 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Memphis Xplorers News Release


SOUTHAVEN, Miss.—Xplorers players McKinley Bowie and Martin Dossett served as guest athletes at Children's Museum of Memphis Gym Jam week of Kidventures summer camp on Thursday. The camp consists of four week-long sessions, with the first week focusing on non-traditional sports and athletic alternatives to television. Catch the Xplorers in action with their next home game against the Tennessee Valley Vipers July 5th. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. at the DeSoto Civic Center, just 15 minutes south of downtown Memphis. For tickets call (662) 280-3737 or go online at www.xplorersaf2.com and use the Ticketmaster link.

When Bowie and Dossett walked through the doors of the museum's Assembly Hall, 25 children stopped what they were doing and started whispering excitedly to one another, "Xplorers! Xplorers guys!"

As the group sat down, Xplorers Community Relations Director Michael Rice introduced himself and the players.

"These guys play arena football," Rice said. "Does anyone know any differences between arena football and NFL football?"

"I know two," one boy piped up. "In arena football you play inside and the field is smaller."

Bowie mentioned that arena football also uses fewer players, about half as many as an NFL team, and that the game moves much faster. Another child added that arena football has walls. Dossett explained that when the ball is bounced off the walls or the nets, another feature unique to arena football, it can still be played. Rice also explained that all the players play both an offense and defense position.

Next Bowie and Dossett led the children in the Xplorers' pre-game stretches, which include "Xplorer Jacks," in which the team spells out the word "Xplorers" and does a little chant. Then they asked for a volunteer from the audience to try on the Xplorers uniform and pads.

Dossett recruited Tabu James, 10. Bowie helped her into the pads, explaining the importance of each one to the children as he went.

"They tell you to always see what you're hitting," Bowie said, as he put the helmet on James. "You need to keep your head up. If not you'll hit with the crown of your head and jam your neck. It's the cause of a lot of neck injuries."

When he was finished, Bowie James to try a three-point stance, in which the player spreads his legs apart and touches the ground with one hand. She made a valiant attempt, but barely managed to keep from falling forward with the weight of the cumbersome pads and helmet.

"How did it feel?" whispered one boy as James took her place in the crowd. "It was heavy," she whispered back.

Bowie, 25, completed his bachelor's degree in education two years ago at Baylor. He spent time traveling to elementary schools in the Waco, Texas area and playing games with children during physical education classes.

"I love kids," Bowie said. "That's why I want to go into coaching after I finish playing football. I want to be able to make a difference. That's my major goal: to be a difference-maker in someone's life, no matter what I do."

Dossett, 24, also attended Baylor and was a teammate of Bowie's in college, where he majored in Communications and minored in Business Management, and came very close to completing a minor in Swahili.

"It was great, just getting to see their faces," Dossett said. "It's really nice to give back to the community. We are so blessed to be able to do what we do. The good thing about programs like these is you can help younger athletes improve and move up in their career. But even if they decide not to play football, we can help them deal with adversity. We can show them that no matter what you do, just always strive to be the best."

XPLORERS CELEBRITY READING PROGRAM

The Xplorers are partnering with the Memphis/Shelby County Public Library System by reading to children as part of the Library's Summer Reading Club. A member or members of the team will be at these libraries on the following dates:

Germantown Branch – Tuesday, June 24, 2 p.m.
1925 Exeter Rd.
Germantown, TN 38138

Gaston Park Branch – Monday, June 30, 2 p.m.
1040 S. Third St.
Memphis, TN 38106

Randolph Branch – Monday, July 7, 3 p.m.
3752 Given Ave.
Memphis, TN 38122

Levi Branch – Tuesday, July 22, 2 p.m.
Poplar View Parkway
Collierville, TN 38017

Burch Branch – Wednesday, July 23
501 Poplar View Parkway
Collierville, TN 38107

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