Spartan fans can join the fight for literacy on Wednesday with SJSU men’s basketball.

Jan. 15, 2018
San Jose, Calif. — Head Coach Jean Prioleau and the San José State Men’s Basketball team continue in their partnership with Coaching for Literacy (CFL) to promote literacy awareness nationwide and highlight the work of Reading Partners in San Jose.

The Spartans are set to be a part of their second annual Fight for Literacy Game, their first as a host on Wednesday, January 17, against the Nevada Wolf Pack in the Event Center. The game will tip-off at 7:30 p.m. PT with coverage televised by the CBS Sports Network.

“Literacy is a necessary and fundamental skill our community’s children need to master,” Prioleau said. “We are excited to host a Fight for Literacy Game and use the influence of basketball to aid young students in the community of San Jose.”

The Spartans will host Coaching for Literacy’s Fight for Literacy Games initiative, which brings coaches, players, and fans together in a common cause: ensuring our children can read.

Per the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) of Educational Progress (NAEP), 72% of 4th graders in the state of California are not reading at the proficient level. The Spartans are joining with Coaching for Literacy in the nationwide Fight for Literacy to change this stat.

JOIN THE SPARTANS AND MAKE THE ASSIST FOR LITERACY

To promote literacy nationwide, San José State’s coaching staff will wear Coaching for Literacy’s Green for Literacy awareness kit showcasing a green tie provided by the lifestyle brand Peter Millar. The Nevada coaching staff will join in the effort by wearing Coaching for Literacy lapel pins and wrist bands.

Fans can pledge a donation for every assist the Spartans make over a four game period beginning January 17th and ending January 31st. 100% of all donations remain in San Jose to support local students through the work of Reading Partners. To make a pledge today visit: www.pledgeit.org/sjsu.

“Children struggling to read need extra help and motivation,” said Aarika Riddle, Executive Director of Reading Partners Silicon Valley. “This partnership with San José State Men’s Basketball and Coaching for Literacy can provide the resources and excitement needed to help children realize their full potential. We are so grateful and excited!”

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

Thanks to the support of sports teams and generous donors, Coaching for Literacy has funded over 50 literacy projects across 20 communities in 11 states directly impacting 8,000 children.

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 learn more about how you can make a difference for literacy efforts in your community 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.