Nov. 9, 2006

Columbia, Mo. - Missouri freshman wrestler Josh Skurnik (Kirkland, Wash.) spent his Wednesday morning reading to elementary school students from around mid-Missouri via satellite as part of the Starlight Reading Program.

One of 20 Missouri student-athletes participating in the weekly program that begins every Wednesday at 10 a.m. (CT) in the Tiger Eye Reading Room in Townsend Hall, Skurnik read Anansi and the Magic Stick by Eric A. Kimmel and finished the program with a brief question and answer session. Students from across central Missouri were invited to ask Skurnik questions about the book, wrestling and college.

Over the past three years the Missouri Athletics Department has worked with the Missouri College of Education to promote literacy and encourage youth to read. At the conclusion of each week, a copy of the book that was read is autographed by the Missouri student-athlete and mailed to the school for them to put in their library.