December 15, 2008

Bobcats Visit Elementary School

NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- The Quinnipiac University women’s ice hockey team and Boomer the Bobcat visited Nathan Hale Elementary School in New Haven, Conn. on Monday, Nov. 24. The Bobcats read to the school’s kindergarten classes in an assembly held in the school’s gymnasium.

In addition to members of the women’s ice hockey team, Boomer the Bobcat also made an appearance, sending the 30-plus children into a celebration as kindergarten teacher Cheryl Onofrio and Principal Lucia Paolella observed.

“I think this was a great event,” senior Kallie Flor said. “It’s important that these kids see that academics are as important as athletics.”

Most of the student-athletes had two or three children to read to while several youngsters chased Boomer the Bobcat around Nathan Hale’s gymnasium.

“We had a lot of fun with the kids, they were really interactive – some were trying to read to me. It was a great day,” Flor added.

The event was part of the Quinnipiac Athletics Positive Play initiative, put in place by the school administration to encourage community involvement by the University’s student-athletes.