Coach Menzies and the Runnin’ Rebels Join Nationwide Fight for Literacy; UNLV vs. Air Force Game (Feb. 12) to Kick off Community-Wide Literacy Initiative and Fundraiser
Head Coach Marvin Menzies and UNLV Men’s Basketball continue in their partnership with Coaching for Literacy (CFL) to raise awareness about the issue of illiteracy in America and to provide support for young children struggling to read in Las Vegas.
The Runnin’ Rebels host Coaching for Literacy’s Fight for Literacy Games initiative on February 12 when the Air Force Falcons plays UNLV at Thomas and Mack Center. The Mountain West Conference contest tips off at 7:30 P.M. PT with coverage on CBSSN.
Fight for Literacy Games bring coaches, players, and fans together in a common cause: ensuring our children can read.
To raise awareness about the issues connected to illiteracy, the UNLV coaching staff will wear Coaching for Literacy’s Green for Literacy awareness kit, which includes a green tie provided by Peter Millar as well as a green lapel pin and wrist band.
Per the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), 69% of 4th graders in Nevada are not proficient in reading. UNLV Men’s Basketball is doing its part to help change the statistic by encouraging fans to get involved in the cause.
JOIN THE RUNNIN” REBELS IN THE LOCAL FIGHT FOR LITERACY
Fans can support young students in Las Vegas by pledging a donation for each assist recorded by the Runnin’ Rebels from February 12 – February 23. To make a pledge today visit: www.pledgeit.org/unlvrebelsforliteracy
Coaching for Literacy guarantees that 100% of funds raised will benefit children who take part in the literacy programming of the Mayor’s Fund for Las Vegas LIFE
IMPORTANCE OF LITERACY
- 64% of American fourth graders are not reading at grade-level. (National Assessment of Educational Progress)
- 85% of juveniles in the court system cannot read. (National Assessment of Adult Literacy, U.S. Department of Education)
- Illiteracy costs the U.S. at least $225 billion annually in non-productivity among the workforce, crime and loss of tax revenue. (National Council for Adult Learning, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor)
ABOUT COACHING FOR LITERACY
Coaching for Literacy is partnering with more than 50 NCAA programs in this season’s Fight for Literacy Games initiative.
Since 2014, our partners have helped us conduct over 100 Fight for Literacy Games with more than 50 NCAA teams. Donors across the country have assisted us in funding 77 literacy projects which supported more than 10,000 kids and 500 volunteers in 23 communities nationwide.
The mission of Coaching for Literacy is to use the power of sports to raise awareness about the problem of illiteracy and generate financial support for literacy programs nationwide.
To get involved in the nationwide advocacy work of Coaching for Literacy please visit www.coachingforliteracy.org and follow Coaching for Literacy on Twitter @CoachingforLit.
For more information on the Fight for Literacy Games initiative please visit www.fightforliteracygames.org and follow Fight for Literacy Games on Twitter @FightForLitGame.