Hundreds of fifth-graders from a half dozen Alamance County schools took part in the 4th annual “Education Day with the Phoenix” this week, where they learned a little geography, math and fitness before watching the Elon women’s basketball team top Presbyterian.
Elon has been holding “Education Day” since 2005 as local school children annually visit the campus one morning for educational activities and then attend a women’s basketball game after lunch.
Hosted by Trip Durham, Elon’s associate director of athletics for marketing, the Jan. 30 event was seen as a way for athletes to engage the community. Andrews, Eastlawn, Haw River, Newlin, North Graham and South Graham elementary schools visited “The Nest” for the midday game.
“The Alamance/Burlington School System is great to work with,” Durham said. “From the administrators to the bus drivers to the parents, everyone really digs in to make Education Day as successful as it can be. It is a great partnership that I hope will continue through the years.”
On the court, Tierra Bumbrey knocked down a contest-best 19 points and Kitara McMoore put up 16 points as Elon turned back Presbyterian for an 82-51 non-conference women’s basketball victory, bringing an abrupt end to a seven-game losing streak.