Feb. 2, 2016
MEMPHIS, Tennessee – Coaching for Literacy (CFL) is proud to announce its fourth consecutive year in partnership with Head Coach Kevin Stallings and the Vanderbilt men’s basketball team.
The Commodores will host CFL’s Assistant Coach Program in their game against the Missouri Tigers on February 10th. Vanderbilt joins 17 other NCAA institutions and the Washington Wizards in the 2015-2016 Assistant Coach Program initiative.
“We are grateful to have worked with Coaching for Literacy these past four years,” said Coach Stallings. “We hope to continue to be a part of improving literacy rates in Nashville and nationwide.”
Head Coach Kevin Stallings has long been a supporter of CFL and was recently inducted into their Wall of Fame. “I am incredibly thankful and grateful for Coach Stallings. He has been a friend to CFL since day one,” said John Wilfong, CFL Board Chairman. “His belief in our work and Vanderbilt’s partnership has been essential for our growth. Because of him we have been able to change lives.”
Coaching for Literacy’s mission is to utilize the power of sports to raise awareness about the problem of illiteracy in America and to generate financial support for effective, local literacy programs. Vanderbilt’s partnership in the Assistant Coach Program achieves the mission of Coaching for Literacy by permitting two individuals to receive an all-access fan experience in exchange for a donation to a local literacy initiative. Funds raised will be allocated to Book’em in Nashville, Tennessee.
The all-access fan experience for the Vanderbilt game on February 10th vs. Missouri includes the following perks: complimentary food and beverages, tour of the facilities, courtside seats, access to the locker room, admittance to postgame interviews, autographed Vanderbilt memorabilia and Vanderbilt gameday apparel provided by Peter Millar.
Book’em creates a more literate Nashville by helping economically disadvantaged children, from birth through high school, discover the joy and value of reading through book ownership and enthusiastic volunteers. Through its Books for Nashville Kids book distribution program, Book’em provides a service that no other Nashville nonprofit offers– getting thousands of books to nonprofits that serve underprivileged Nashville children.
“Book’em is grateful to Vanderbilt and Coaching for Literacy,” said Melissa Spradlin, Executive Director of Book’em. “Because of their commitment, several thousand economically disadvantaged children in Nashville have become proud book owners and are building their literacy skills, so they can achieve their dreams.”