WSU Offers Basketball, Tours to Thousands of Elementary Students
OGDEN, Utah – A university education is both rewarding and exciting. Thanks to a collaboration between Weber State University Athletics and the Ogden School Foundation, thousands of elementary school children will experience the fun firsthand with a campus visit and basketball games on Feb. 9 and 16.
The two campus visits offer different opportunities but have the same goal: steering young students toward higher education.
As students become more familiar with campus their fears and apprehensions seem to dissipate,” said Janis Vause, Ogden School Foundation chair. “Many of the students who choose to attend college are the first in their family. If they have some familiarity with the campus, it puts them more within the realm of thinking attending a university like Weber State is a goal they can actually accomplish.”
Field Trip Day
Field Trip Day will bring between 2,500 to 3,000 students to watch the Weber State women’s basketball team play Sacramento State, Feb. 9 at noon. This year marks the 10th anniversary of Field Trip Day, but this is the first year Weber State has offered two trips. More than 3,600 students attended the game against Fresno State on Dec. 16, 2016.
“One of the primary reasons for holding a second Field Trip Day is that the Ogden School District ran out of buses for the first game,” explained Ron Goch, WSU Athletics marketing and promotions assistant director. “We wanted schools that weren’t able to attend in December to have another opportunity to experience Field Trip Day.”
The Ogden School District received a grant to help pay for the buses. Coaches and players readily accommodate the noon tipoff time. In honor of Field Trip Day, the game is free to the entire community.
“It brings great atmosphere and energy plus allows young kids to come on a college campus to see what they have to strive for,” said Bethann Ord, head women's basketball coach. “Our team always loves these games for the energy and where they are also able to meet a lot of the young kids. It’s an important tradition because it gives an opportunity for us to give back and be involved in our community.”
The young, raucous fans fill the Dee Events Center with enthusiasm and noise. They receive a WSU workbook and a chance to interact with Waldo and the Spirit Squad.
College Bound Day
On Feb. 16 at 4:30 p.m., approximately 800 fifth graders from Ogden schools will participate in College Bound Day, where they will visit various academic departments, attend a pep rally and watch the men’s basketball team play Northern Colorado at 7 p.m.
This year marks Weber State’s fifth College Bound Day. Many of the elementary students have never been on a college campus nor considered a university education.
“As a department we really look forward each year to Field Trip Day and College Bound Day,” said Jerry Bovee, Intercollegiate Athletics director. “We love the opportunity to host the thousands of local elementary school kids on our campus and show them what Weber State University and Wildcat athletics are all about. They provide a great energy to our games, and we hope they enjoy and remember their visits to Weber State.”
The week prior to College Bound Day, men’s basketball players visit elementary classrooms to talk about academics and athletics.
On the day of the event, student-athletes guide small groups around campus to introduce fifth-graders to faculty, staff, facilities and university students in various disciplines.
Following the tours, everyone gathers in the Robert L. and Annette Marquardt Field House for a pep rally featuring the university president, student body president, athletics director, athletes, Waldo and the Spirit Squad. They then walk to the Dee Events Center where they are recognized, entertained and hopefully inspired to pursue a university education.
The Ogden School Foundation provides each fifth-grader a lanyard that includes the student’s picture, a College Bound T-Shirt and a brown-bag dinner. The foundation also provides mini-basketballs that will be thrown out to the students at the game.
“Planning for college has to start early,” said Weber State President Charles A. Wight. “Through events such as these, Weber State plants the seeds that will grow into graduates.”
For more information about Weber State Athletics, visit weberstatesports.com.
Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.
For more photos, visit the following link:
Allison Barlow Hess, Director of Public Relations
801-626-7948 • ahess@weber.edu- Contact:
Paul Grua, Director of Media Relations for Weber State Athletics
801-626-7414 • pgrua@weber.eduRon Goch, Assistant Director, Athletics Marketing and Promotions
801-626-6731 • rongoch@weber.edu