University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: Joe Murphy
Tigers team up with Coaching for Literacy in the #Fight4Literacy presented by International Paper
Jan 12, 2021 | Men's Basketball
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Memphis Tigers men's basketball team will host a #Fight4Literacy Game, presented by International Paper, on Thursday against SMU at 8 p.m. to promote childhood reading and the local literacy work of Knowledge Quest, STREETS, and Memphis Teachers Residency.
The coaching staff will wear #Green4Literacy lapel pins and wristbands in support of the #Fight4Literacy in Memphis. One hundred percent of funds raised through the #Fight4Literacy will give local kids crucial literacy training to combat the harrowing statistic that 67 percent of students in Tennessee are not reading at grade-level.
As the presenting partner of the #Fight4Literacy, International Paper Company has guaranteed a $10,000 donation and will match all donations up to $5,000. In communities across the country, International Paper and Coaching for Literacy will donate more than $300,000 to help children become better readers.
MEMPHIANS CAN GIVE THE POWER OF LITERACY TO LOCAL STUDENTS
In addition, local businesses and restaurants are invited to join the #Fight4Literacy Week as an extension to #Fight4Literacy Games as a way for communities to rally around literacy. Participating businesses will raise awareness about the issue of illiteracy and donate a portion of sales to Knowledge Quest, STREETS, and Memphis Teachers Residency.
TIGERS FANS CAN GIVE THE GIFT OF LITERACY TO LOCAL STUDENTS
Fans can join the Tigers by pledging to donate per assist during the 4-game window following the #Fight4Literacy Game. For every $10 raised, Coaching for Literacy can provide two books to local kids. To learn more visit: pledgeit.org/memphisfflw21
IMPORTANCE OF LITERACY
ABOUT COACHING FOR LITERACY
Thanks to the support of its partners and Americans nationwide, Coaching for Literacy has conducted over 150 #Fight4Literacy Games with more than 70 NCAA teams. Their work generates crucial awareness and has provided over $375,000 to fund over 118 literacy projects supporting more than 20,000 children nationwide. 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 coachingforliteracy.org.
Thursday's game can be seen on ESPN2. The Tigers are the only AAC school with just two home games in January. After the game against SMU, Memphis' only other home game in the month is Jan. 21 against Wichita State. That follows a contest at Tulsa on Sunday at 2 p.m. on ESPN+.
Consistent with recommendations from local public health officials, Memphis Grizzlies and University of Memphis men's basketball home games at FedExForum will be played without fans in attendance until further notice. For more information, please visit www.GoTigersGo.com.
The coaching staff will wear #Green4Literacy lapel pins and wristbands in support of the #Fight4Literacy in Memphis. One hundred percent of funds raised through the #Fight4Literacy will give local kids crucial literacy training to combat the harrowing statistic that 67 percent of students in Tennessee are not reading at grade-level.
As the presenting partner of the #Fight4Literacy, International Paper Company has guaranteed a $10,000 donation and will match all donations up to $5,000. In communities across the country, International Paper and Coaching for Literacy will donate more than $300,000 to help children become better readers.
MEMPHIANS CAN GIVE THE POWER OF LITERACY TO LOCAL STUDENTS
In addition, local businesses and restaurants are invited to join the #Fight4Literacy Week as an extension to #Fight4Literacy Games as a way for communities to rally around literacy. Participating businesses will raise awareness about the issue of illiteracy and donate a portion of sales to Knowledge Quest, STREETS, and Memphis Teachers Residency.
TIGERS FANS CAN GIVE THE GIFT OF LITERACY TO LOCAL STUDENTS
Fans can join the Tigers by pledging to donate per assist during the 4-game window following the #Fight4Literacy Game. For every $10 raised, Coaching for Literacy can provide two books to local kids. To learn more visit: pledgeit.org/memphisfflw21
IMPORTANCE OF LITERACY
- 66% 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 its partners and Americans nationwide, Coaching for Literacy has conducted over 150 #Fight4Literacy Games with more than 70 NCAA teams. Their work generates crucial awareness and has provided over $375,000 to fund over 118 literacy projects supporting more than 20,000 children nationwide. 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 coachingforliteracy.org.
Thursday's game can be seen on ESPN2. The Tigers are the only AAC school with just two home games in January. After the game against SMU, Memphis' only other home game in the month is Jan. 21 against Wichita State. That follows a contest at Tulsa on Sunday at 2 p.m. on ESPN+.
Consistent with recommendations from local public health officials, Memphis Grizzlies and University of Memphis men's basketball home games at FedExForum will be played without fans in attendance until further notice. For more information, please visit www.GoTigersGo.com.
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