Monroe, N.C.----Wingate University men’s basketball team members and head coach
Brian Good participated in the second annual career day at Walter Bickett Elementary School in March. The Bulldogs were a big hit with the teachers and the students, but Good believes the day was beneficial for his team members as well.
“We molded our talks around our experiences,” Good says. “We wanted to stress to them…there are other aspects of life far more important than basketball.”
Good and his student-athletes spoke about academics, health and listening to authority figures. “The teachers were thrilled when we talked about attentiveness.”
“It was great for the kids to learn how hard you have to work on academics to play sports in college,” WBES fifth grade teacher
Jarren Harrell reflects. “The students had a blast dribbling the ball and hanging out with Coach Good,
Chase Smith,
Larry Staley and
David Johnson.”
Walter Bickett counselor
Sarah Whalen wants her students to see they have choices. “Our goal is for the children to see that there are LOTS of things to do when they grow up,” Whalen says. “We want to expose them to as many different careers as possible, but still give them time to really understand each career. Our bigger overall goal is to encourage students to succeed in school so that they have many choices when they get older.”
The Wingate University men’s basketball team was one of many presenters at the Walter Bickett Elementary School career day. Other organizations represented include Monroe Post Office, Monroe Fire Department, Monroe Police Department, Monroe School of Tae Kwon Do, National Guard, Channel 9 News, Channel 36 News, Union County Red Cross, Charles Luck Granite, United Engineering Company, Bank of America and Charlotte Eagles Soccer Team.
“I would say there is a very good chance our guys enjoyed the day as much or more than the students,” Good acknowledges. “Our guys were reminded it is a privilege to play college basketball. This is a good opportunity for us. I hope we can help in the future.”
The reviews are glowing. “The players were very positive and professional,” WBES fifth grade teacher
Elizabeth Phillips asserts. “They really stressed the importance of being a good, well- rounded student…and that their academics come before sports. We enjoyed them!”
“The students loved the active participation - learning how to throw the ball and showing them how to do tricks,” WBES second grade teacher
Amy Howley says. “I watched my students glow as their faces lit up with excitement.”
WINGATE UNIVERSITY
Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a private four-year co-educational institution of 2,159 students offering active learning opportunities through personalized instruction, world travel, career discovery and community service.
Wingate offers more than 40 undergraduate majors in arts and sciences, business, communication, education, fine arts, music and sport sciences. It also offers graduate degrees in business, education, physician assistant studies and sport administration. In addition, the school awards the doctor of pharmacy and the doctor of education degrees.
Bulldog student-athletes compete in 19 NCAA Division II sports. Wingate University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past three years.
Wingate University is ranked number three among NCAA Division II Academic All-America® producing schools in the 2000’s with 34 honorees during this millennium. Only Pittsburg State (Kan.) University and Truman State (Mo.) University have produced more Academic All-America® honorees during this time period. Wingate’s 43 Academic All-America® honorees (lifetime) is tops among all SAC schools.