Dec. 20, 2005

By Shanna Schoch, Dickinson State University News Bureau Manager -

DICKINSON, N.D. - Dickinson State University (N.D.) wrestlers recently helped Dickinson first and second graders pin down positive attitudes toward reading and healthy lifestyles. 

 To encourage children to read, the 45 wrestling team members raised money to buy more than 400 Scooby Doo!® books. The wrestlers then visited each Dickinson elementary school first and second grade classroom and read to the children. Afterward, they gave each child a book to keep and each classroom teacher a DSU Blue Hawks Wrestling t-shirt. Funding for the program came from an anonymous donor and from the Dickinson State University Foundation.

 The "Wrestlers for Reading" program was the brainchild of senior wrestler Tyson Springer (Snohomish, Wash.), who brought the idea from his previously attended junior college in northern Idaho. Springer is a 2004-05 NAIA champion.

 "Tyson is a mentor in my freshman seminar course that is for all wrestlers. He really lives the DSU wrestling team motto, `To Live with No Regrets...Priceless!!' He is an example to his teammates and has a real desire to reach out into the community," said Thadd O'Donnell, Dickinson State University head wrestling coach. 

 "The students were very excited about the wrestlers coming," said Lyn Shirley, Heart River Elementary School second grade teacher. "The wrestlers were enthusiastic and read with great expression, asking the students questions as they read. The students read along and asked the wrestlers questions. It was a very positive activity. It's always good to have guest readers come in and show that reading is everywhere and for everyone."

 Team members also talked to the young students about eating right and staying active and provided each school's cafeteria with a poster featuring Dickinson State University senior wrestler Gabe Harry. The poster was produced in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture Food & Nutrition Service as part of a national campaign to encourage children to choose healthy lifestyles and spreads the message: "Eat Smart. Play Hard."

 "The guys feel really good about what they are doing and enjoy interacting with the first and second graders," O'Donnell said. "They are proud to be examples to these kids and to reinforce what the children are learning in the classroom from their teachers." 

 This is the first year the wrestlers have participated in the "Wrestlers for Reading" program. They intend to re-visit the classrooms in the spring and continue the project next year. 

 "I think it's a great thing that they are doing. The wrestling team is giving back to the school community. I think that is really super," said Sherry Libis, Heart River Elementary School principal.