Ole Miss Frats Pull Together to Help Improve Mississippi Literacy

Members of Ole Miss’ Phi Delta Theta, Kappa Alpha, and Sigma Nu are teaming up to present the Coaching for Literacy “assistant coach program” and be Rebels Against Illiteracy. With a $10 raffle ticket, you can win a once-in-a-lifetime fan experience with the Rebels at the Ole Miss vs. UGA basketball game Feb. 25.

“We know that literacy is the key to our success as students at Ole Miss, and as members of society,” said Matt Bolton, president of Coaching for Literacy’s Ole Miss Chapter. “With literacy rates in Mississippi and nationwide in mind, our group firmly believes we can not sit by and watch as fellow community members struggle to become literate. Through our partnership with Ole Miss basketball, our weekly volunteer work with Leap Frog in Oxford, MS, and financial support of literacy programs we are doing our part to give others the key to success — literacy. It is our goal to set this season’s attendance record for Ole Miss basketball to show the nation that Ole Miss students are Rebels for Literacy.”

The mission of Coaching for Literacy is to increase awareness about the number of people in America who are functionally or totally illiterate and the social problems associated with illiteracy. Coaching for Literacy raises money to support effective local literacy programs focused on educating elementary and middle school students.

Did you know?

• Two-thirds of students who cannot read proficiently by the end of the 4th grade will end up on welfare or in jail.
• 19% of high school graduates are functionally illiterate.
• The cost of illiteracy to businesses and taxpayers is estimated at $20 billion annually.
• 3 out of 4 people on welfare cannot read.
• Between 46 and 51% of Americans adults have an income well below the poverty level because of their inability to read.

Want to be a Rebel Against Illiteracy?

Students can purchase a raffle ticket to win a fan experience with the Ole Miss Rebels on Tuesdays & Thursdays outside the Student Union on campus from 11 a.m. to  1 p.m. or on Facebook. The raffle ends Feb. 20.

The raffle winner gets to bring one friend along to be “Assistant Coaches” at the game against UGA on Feb. 25 at 8 p.m., complete with courtside seats, locker room access, attendance at the postgame press conference, autographed memorabilia and a picture with Ole Miss basketball coach Andy Kennedy. The proceeds from the raffle will be allocated by CFL to its literacy partners: Barksdale Reading Institute, the Mississippi Children’s Museum and Leap Frog.

“We are excited to partner with Coaching for Literacy in order to bring attention and support to a very worthy cause,” Kennedy said. “The ability to read and write at a productive level is the foundation from which all success is achieved. Coaching for Literacy’s mission is to aid in this fundamental skill and we wanted to be involved.”

All students who purchase a raffle ticket will get free admission into Rooster’s Feb. 19 where Delta Springs and Dartboard Girls will be performing.

“Coaching for Literacy is important to me because I know that Mississippi has a substantial need for youth reading institutions,” KA Wade Meena said. “If we can recognize our state’s problem with illiteracy, then we as Mississippians can make better strides to change the trend of poor childhood literacy in our state. Coaching for Literacy means that we will coach the state’s youth on the important aspects of literacy with the goal of placing Mississippi’s youth as some of the most prolific readers in the country.”

Not a current Ole Miss student but still want to donate to the cause? Visit the donation website.

“This is bigger than a non-profit organization. It’s a chance for a group of friends to make a lasting difference on this campus and for the Oxford community,” Sigma Nu Conner Adkins said. “Not only are we aimed to spread awareness for illiteracy through our Assistant Coach program, but we are directly giving the Ole Miss student body something that they can collectively make a difference in.”

Kate Robison is a HottyToddy.com staff reporter and can be reached at akrobiso@go.olemiss.edu.