WSSU Wide Receiver Continues To Help Local Children
Chris Zona 11/12/08

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Brent Thomas, a senior wide receiver on the WSSU football team, spent Wednesday afternoon reading a book to 30 kindergartners at St. Leo's School.  Thomas, who is from Durham, also spent time answering questions about football, Winston-Salem State and college life in general.  Thomas makes it a priority to help out area children, as do countless numbers of WSSU’s student-athletes, most often times to very little fanfare.

"It was a great experience," said Thomas, who also works at the Children's Museum in downtown Winston-Salem. "The kids wanted to know my favorite football team and I kept telling them it was the Winston-Salem State Rams."

Athletes from Winston-Salem State have performed a variety of community service throughout the school year. Earlier this month the football team and several of the women's basketball team members helped out Ashley Elementary School in setting up their fall festival.

Thomas said that reading to kids comes naturally.

"They always ask questions about anything," Thomas said. "So it's nice to hear their questions because some of them are pretty funny."

Student –athletes at Winston-Salem State have full calendars; classes, labs and study groups plus practices, workouts, and team meetings.  Nonetheless, WSSU student-athletes find time in their busy schedules to reach out to their community and prepare for life after their athletic careers are over. 

The Rams and Lady Rams are extremely active in the community.  From youth reading programs to after school activities, the student-athletes at WSSU are committed to giving back to their communities.  In 2007-08, WSSU student-athletes volunteered more than 800 hours, reaching thousands of local children and families in the process.