Biggest Game in Every Town: Athletes From NFL, MLB, NBA, WNBA, MLS, PGA, NHL, WPVA Join NEA's Reading Team.

Business/Sports Editors & Education Writers

WASHINGTON--(BW SportsWire)--Feb. 25, 2002

They're not competing, but they all have the same goal in mind -- getting kids across the country charged up about reading. Professional athletes from a variety of sports will take a reading timeout with the National Education Association (NEA) on March 1 for NEA's Read Across America celebration. Now in its fifth year, Read Across America celebrates the birthday of beloved children's author Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel) and has become the world's most popular literacy campaign.

"America's athletes, like America's teachers, know the value of reading in the real world," says NEA President Bob Chase. "They also know how much fun it can be and how important it is to get kids to discover the joys of reading. When these role models pick up a book, everyone wins."

NFL Players Turn in Helmets for "Cat" Hats

Fronting the pack of professional football players participating is George Coghill, safety for the Denver Broncos. Coghill, an unwavering advocate for literacy, has started his own "Smash Illiteracy Program" and was named by NEA to be the 2002 Youth Leaders for Literacy Champion. Coghill is encouraging young people to follow his example and develop service projects where they read to children. On March 1, he will read to students in Littleton, Colo.

Other events with NFL players include: former Pittsburgh Steeler and noted recipient of the "Immaculate Reception" Franco Harris reading in Leetsdale, Pa.; New York Giant Jason Sehorn with wife and actress Angie Harmon (Law and Order) in Arlington, Texas; New York Giant Tiki Barber with CBS Sports commentator Bonnie Bernstein in West New York, N.J.; Pittsburgh Steeler Mike Schneck in Pittsburgh; New York Jet Steve Martin in West New York, N.J.; and New York Jet James Darling in Kettle Falls, Wash.; San Francisco 49er Jose Cortez in Portland, Ore.; Carolina Panther John Kasay in Charlotte, N.C.; San Diego Charger Ryan McNeil in Atlanta; Denver Bronco Ed McCaffrey in Littleton, Colo.; New York Giant Jason Garrett in Dallas; Kansas City Chief Kendall Gammon in Carl Junction, Miss.; Detroit Lion Eric Beverly in Auburn Hills, Mich.; and Baltimore Raven Qadry Ismail in Boca Raton, Fla.

NFL teams suiting up in Seuss colors for road trips to local schools include the Green Bay Packers and the Baltimore Ravens. The Washington Redskins will have 100 kids from local schools and Redskins players reading their favorite Dr. Seuss books in the player locker rooms at FedEx Field.

MLB Lays Down the Bats for Books

Professional baseball players are stepping up to the plate for literacy for NEA's Read Across America. One of baseball's biggest stars, Alex "A-Rod" Rodriguez, joins NEA and Read Across America partner the Boys & Girls Clubs of America for some bilingual reading fun. The All-Star short stop for the Texas Rangers will take time from spring training to read to kids in Port Charlotte, Fla. In Vero Beach, Fla., Los Angeles Dodgers players hold class at Dodgertown Elementary, reading their favorites with local children, while back in Los Angeles, former players and Dodgers executives read with children at Dodger Stadium.

Slam Dunk for Literacy

Professional basketball will also be part of the Seussapalooza around the country. Members of the Atlanta Hawks with "Harry the Hawk" and "Sky Hawk" will make a fast break for reading in Marietta, Ga. The Los Angeles Lakers will host a pre-game book exchange where team members will present some lucky Los Angeles area students with sets of books and the reading team uniform -- the Cat in the Hat hat. Schools around Salt Lake City are working with the Utah Jazz to "Be a Team Player -- Read" and the 14 where the most books are read will be rewarded with a visit from a player later in March. Houston Comet forward Tammy Jackson will be reading in Houston and New York Liberty guard Teresa Weatherspoon will be reading in New York City. Washington Mystics guard Markita Aldridge will be making a Read Across America road trip, first reading at a Potomac, Md., school and then joining other local celebrities at Westfield Shoppingtown Montgomery in Bethesda, Md.

MLS Gets a Kick Out of Reading

Players from the New York/New Jersey Major League Soccer team the MetroStars will be reading in Clifton, N.J. Players, coaches and staff from the Major League Soccer team, the Los Angeles Galaxy, will be reading in Carson, Calif. And DC United players will be heading out to Washington, D.C. area schools and community centers.

The Beach, the Fairway, the (virtual) Ice, and the Weight Room Open Up for Readers

It will be a real reading beach party when professional beach volleyball star Holly McPeak hits the sand with teammates Rachael Wacholder and Carrie Busch to read to kids on Manhattan Beach in Los Angeles. PGA Golfer Jonathan Kaye will be staying out of the sand when he hosts a "Reading on the Green" for boys and girls at Doral Country Club in Miami. Colorado Avalanche players Joe Sakic, Adam Foote, Dan Hinote and Greg de Vries will be in cyberspace instead of on the ice on March 1 when they are Webcast reading their favorite children's books. And 2000 Olympic gold medallist in weightlifting Tara Nott will be lifting some mighty tomes in Blue Valley, Kan.

For more information about NEA's Read Across America, including local events, activities, games and more, log on to www.nea.org/readacross.

The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional employee organization, representing 2.6 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support personnel, school administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers.