Nov. 20, 2006

The SMU VIP (Very Important Pony) Reading Challenge program's focus is to encourage 4th grade students to read in their leisure time and teach them reading can open many doors and opportunities!

SMU student-athletes have been involved in this challenge by visiting DISD classrooms to speak about the importance of reading and participate in activities with the kids. The SMU VIP Reading Challenge tiped off October 9th and wraps up December 8th.

The finale of the VIP Challenge will consist of a Reading Rally Celebration Bash, to be held at Moody Coliseum during a basketball game in January. Students who were the top 2 readers from each participating class will be recognized, and in addition the elementary school that has the most successful participating students will be honored.

Each students goal is to read enough minutes to achieve an official VIP t-shirt. This t-shirt will allow them access to all sporting events on campus for free when the t-shirt is worn. In-school visits have also been scheduled for mid-November by the SMU Community Relations staff and student-athletes.

As of Nov. 20, 2006, six schools are participating in the VIP Program, with each school having anywhere from 2 to 9 4th grade classes. This program has been influential to DISD students and has accessed a window of opportunity for them to see what a college looks like and that they can strive for.

List of School participating:
Ben Milam
Robert E. Lee
Stonewall Jackson
John F. Kennedy
J.W. Ray
Dan. D. Rogers

This SMU VIP Program will impact over 450 kids in the Dallas community by introducing DISD students to the benefits of reading.

The SMU athletics department sponsors a comprehensive community outreach program which takes advantage of the skills, experience and notoriety of its 400+ student-athletes, coaches and staff members to reinforce positive messages to K-12 children and community members in the Dallas area. Active participation in the community has been at the heart of the school's philosophy and philanthropy. By focusing efforts on after-school clubs, inner-city youth recreation programs, education and literacy projects, shelters and other culturally diverse youth organizations, Mustang student-athletes, coaches, and staff members are able to make an impact that goes beyond watching the game. For more information on SMU Community Relations, click here.

SMU, the only Division I athletic program in Dallas, Texas, sponsors 17 sports and has been ranked as the top school in its conference for 10 of the last 11 years in the Director's Cup overall athletic rankings. More information about SMU and its coaches, student-athletes and teams is available at www.SMUMustangs.com.