October 2, 2008

MONTEREY, Calif. - Members of the Cal State Monterey Bay women's basketball team spent time on Thursday reading to preschoolers at the Monterey Public Library, part of the "Read for the Record" event sponsored by Jumpstart, a national non-profit organization pairing college students with at-risk preschool children with a focus on building literacy.

The women read "Corduroy" by Don Freeman, the story of a teddy bear's adventures while locked inside a department store.

“The children as well as our team have clearly benefited from this experience,” said head coach Renee Jimenez.  “They are doing important work, and I am pleased we were able to be apart of such an extraordinary day.”

The athletes were part of a national effort that brought at-risk youngsters and adults together to help promote literacy and build the social and emotional skills that children need to thrive.

“Being part of CSUMB women's basketball is about giving back and we were excited to have the opportunity to work with the Monterey Public Library and Jumpstart,” Jimenez said.  “I think we have created a great partnership for years to come.”

Event organizers were trying to top the previous record, which was set on Sept. 20, 2007, when 258,000 people read “The Story of Ferdinand” by Munro Leaf. Celebrities including campaign spokesman and rapper LL Cool J, Emmy and Tony Award winning actress Mary-Louise Parker, actor Greg Kinnear, and the Today Show hosts Ann Curry and Matt Lauer, participated in Thursday's attempt to break the record.

“It is important to us as a university, athletic department and basketball program to give back to a community that has welcomed us,” Jimenez said.

Please visit  www.readfortherecord.org for more information.