COLUMBIA, Mo. - Mizzou Athletics will host approximately 175 members of the Cedar Ridge Elementary School community this Saturday, Sept. 13 for the Tiger Football game against Central Florida, as part of the exciting RALLY Club program.
The RALLY Club - which stands for Recognizing Achievement, Learning and Leadership in our Youth - represents a unique partnership with the MU College of Education, Columbia Public Schools and Mizzou Athletics, and it honors local grade school children and administrators for their scholastic and leadership achievements. The program rewards boys and girls who have made personal gains in their school accomplishments and who have contributed positively to the learning community as a student leader.
After the program's inception in 2013, Saturday's football game marks Cedar Ridge's second RALLY Club recognition. Leigh Neier, a professor with the MU College of Education, looks forward to the continued development of the RALLY Club with Mizzou Athletics.
"RALLY Club's continued presence in the Cedar Ridge community serves as an incredible example of the Mizzou Athletics' spirit for academic integrity and community involvement," Neier said. "Student-athletes who volunteer to visit with RALLY Club students on a weekly basis demonstrate that hard work and leadership matter in and beyond the classroom. As we gear up for the year ahead, we have many student-athletes who have committed their time and talents to the program for a second year. This will mean the world to the Cedar Ridge students who will be able to reunite with their mentors for another year of growth together."
Throughout the 2014-15 academic year, the RALLY Club has plans for current Mizzou student-athletes in all sports to spend time with the children in a number of settings, including sitting together during games, visiting at school and other mentorship opportunities. Future plans also call for the RALLY Club to expand to other schools throughout Columbia, Mo.
Cedar Ridge Elementary Principal, Angie Chandler, is looking forward to another great afternoon at Faurot Field this Saturday.
"Cedar Ridge Elementary is honored to be a part of the RALLY Club again this year," Chandler said. "Our students continue to benefit from constant exposure to student-athletes from the University of Missouri, and are able to see and feel first-hand the excitement of going to a Mizzou football game."
"The RALLY Club helps fulfill district goals of Achievement, Enrichment and Opportunity for our students at Columbia Public Schools by allowing student-athlete volunteer tutors for classrooms, tickets to MU sporting events, and field trip opportunities throughout the year. We are honored to be a part of it again this year!"
Mizzou Deputy Athletics Director, Doug Gillin, is excited to once again host Cedar Ridge Elementary and continue the popular RALLY Club program at Mizzou.
"We are thrilled once again to host students from Cedar Ridge Elementary School this Saturday at The Zou," Gillin said. "Mizzou Athletics continues to have a strong relationship with the MU College of Education and Columbia Public Schools, and events like this really gives our younger fans a truly unique experience. I know the Cedar Ridge students love this opportunity and our football student-athletes really feed off their enthusiasm."
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