VERMILLION, S.D. – South Dakota men's basketball team has spent time this semester helping students at Jolley and Austin Elementary Schools in Vermillion.
 
Most Friday's during the first semester, the Coyotes have enjoyed reading to the students, helping out with recess and even participated in a fun run dedicated to reading.
 
"It's important to me to have our guys in the community making a difference!," head coach Todd Lee said. "The idea of having our guys interact with kids at the elementary school was a good place to start making that difference!
 
"Our youth's education is the key to their success. For the kids to see our guys in the classroom helping them with reading, doing math problems, and probably our guys favorite part playing in recess, will let them know how important education is to their success! I'm glad this experience has been a positive one for our guys, but it's been even more exciting to see how great an experience it has been for the kids at the schools!"
 
Jolley Elementary Principal Sam Jacobs discussed with the South Dakota men's basketball coaching staff the benefits for both the students and the players and what the interaction between the two would have on each other.
 
"It's great seeing how excited the kids get when they are playing on the playground with the players," said Jacobs. "There are very few elementary schools that get the opportunity to have college student-athletes help in their school. It is a great experience for our kids."
 
Austin Elementary School Counselor Luke Hayes chatted with the men's basketball staff on how it would provide more opportunities and interactions of positive male role models with the students.
 
"I have several students who ask me each week when the USD basketball players are coming," said Hayes. "They have made a great impact in the lives of students. Our students look up to them and sincerely enjoy interacting with them, whether it be time out on the playground or reading with them.
 
"Teachers have shared with me some positive concern that with the size difference of the players to our students, that our students want to hang on them like a human jungle gym. The Austin students truly look up to the USD Men's Basketball Players!"
 
Some thoughts from Austin Elementary students and staff:
 
"They're nice and always want to have fun!"
~ Keyan B, 1st grade Student
 
"They're amazing to work with. They go out of their way to make students feel special."
~ Mrs. Custis, 1st grade teacher
 
"It is fun because I get to read my stories to them!"
~ Emma F., 1st Grade Student
 
"Our students look forward to reading with them each week! Not only are they reading with our students, but they are outside during their recess times playing with them, showing them new games and setting great examples of sportsmanship! Some of our students have never been to a college game, but get to hang out with college athletes! It's really an awesome experience!"
~ Mrs. Beach, 1st Grade Teacher
 
Below is a listing of thoughts from some of the men's basketball players:
 
"Volunteering in the elementary was a fun and a great experience at the same time! My favorite part was going to recess with the kids and playing around with them. I am really happy that I had the chance to hear all of them laughing all day long!"
~ Tasos Kamateros
 
"Seeing how excited the kids get when we come to read and hangout with them always makes my day.  Being able to go out in the Vermillion community and have fun and make some kid's day in a way that's not school or basketball related I think is very important."
~ Caden Hoffman
 
"It's been a great experience hanging out with the elementary school kids and getting to know some of them better and then seeing them out in the community. There's nothing better than putting smiles on kids' faces and making their day."
~ Kanon Koster
 
"Every Friday a couple of our guys get a chance to go help out at Jolley Elementary school. It is a great opportunity for us to represent our school and basketball program and to be a helping hand in the community. Personally, I love working with the kids and hopefully we all can be role models to the younger generation. My favorite part of course has to be recess. The joy and excitement that every kid has when they are running around is so much fun."
~ AJ Plitzuweit
 
"Being able to go to Austin and read with the kids is something I look forward to doing every week. I enjoy helping them learn as well as playing some games with them from time to time."
~ Tyler Hagedorn


 
"Spending time with the kids at Jolley Elementary has been a really fun experience. Those kids are full of so much energy, and anytime we are able to get into the community it is exciting. Seeing kids light up when they read with us, or even when we play with them at recess makes it easily all worth it."
~ Tyler Peterson
 
"Hanging out with the kids has been a great experience, getting to know the community we're gonna be representing out on the floor has been a great experience."
~ Brady Heiman
 
"The experience of reading and hanging out with the kids of Austin Elementary school has been completely eye opening for me. I have found out the true importance of service before self. It can be an amazing thing to put a smile on a kid's face, especially at school in a learning environment. My favorite part of these experiences is watching the kids at recess and playing games with them. It is clear that they think the world of us college players, and I hope they have been inspired as their lives progress!"
~ Cody Kelley