FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Evan O’Kelly Director of Communications O: (406) 657-2130 E: evan.okelly@msubillings.edu Thursday, December 15, 2016 MSUB men’s basketball visits 3rd grade classroom at Boulder Elementary School
Visiting a third-grade classroom at Boulder Elementary School in Billings on Thursday, MSUB’s men’s basketball team spends time with local children and gives back to the community. BILLINGS, Mont. – Spending time in the local community on Thursday, the Montana State University Billings men’s basketball team visited a third-grade classroom at Boulder Elementary School. The Yellowjackets helped the children build structures out of marshmallows and toothpicks, played a variety of board games, and saved time to sign autographs. “It’s good to go into a classroom and meet the kids, and see what their everyday life is about,” said junior guard Kendall Denham, who is an elementary education major. “It’s cool to see the enthusiasm the kids put into their school work. Every year we have something we do for the community, and giving back is something that always comes with college sports. I think that’s a great thing.” The third-grade class is taught by Kaylee Kimmet, a former women’s soccer player and graduate from MSUB. “This is something my students have been excited about ever since I told them they were going to get the opportunity to work with the MSUB players,” said Kimmet. “I have a lot of students who play sports, so they really look up to these guys. Just
being an alum, it is cool to see how MSUB keeps growing and bringing these awesome student-athletes in. I love having them come to my classroom.” Players from MSUB’s men’s basketball team introduced themselves and gave the young students a taste of what being a college athlete is like. Small groups worked together and took photos with festive holiday decorations as well. “It was Kaylee’s idea to have the guys in the classroom, and our guys get a good sense of how elementary-age students look up to them,” said MSUB head coach Jamie Stevens. “They see our guys going to college, and hopefully that gets the college mindset in these kids. Whether it’s visiting a classroom like this or running one of our camps, these are great opportunities for all students throughout Billings to have some interaction with our guys.” Thursday’s community engagement and involvement activity was part of the athletic department’s overall initiative of volunteering and spending time giving back to the Billings community. The Yellowjackets as a department are looking to top last year’s total of 1,400 hours of service involvement. Kendall Denham (left) and Marc Matthews pose with third-graders at Boulder Elementary during Thursday’s visit.
MSUB’s men’s basketball team is 6-4 so far this season, and has won five of its last six games heading into the holiday break. The Yellowjackets will next be in action on the road at Simon Fraser University in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference game on Dec. 29.
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