Eighty-six Coastal Carolina athletes visited local kindergartens today. Here’s why.

Sitting cross-legged on colorful mats, kindergartners in 86 classrooms sat in awe listening to Coastal Carolina athletes read them a book this morning.

The United Way event “Caring for Kindergartners” began with Coastal Caroline’s former coach David Bennett in 2003. This year was the 21st event held in local elementary schools within a 20 mile circumference of the college.

New head football Coach Tim Beck read “The Couch Potato” by Jory John at Palmetto Bays Elementary School alongside Coastal athletes including football and lacrosse players.

This year’s book selection encourages children to get off the couch and be active. After the reading, the kids drew pictures of their favorite outdoor and indoor activities.

Eighty-six individual athletes from different segments of Coastal’s athletic programs participated in this year’s event leaving the books with the students at the end of the session. The event was sponsored by Big Air Trampoline Park.

“Early education is one of our top priorities so we really focus on kindergarten readiness,” said Blakely Roof, President and CEO of The United Way in Horry County who, as the daughter of a librarian, says she has a special appreciation for reading.

“We want to people to know that reading is fun. Seeing athletes come in, or anyone come in, and making it fun is always a good thing,” she said.

The United Way also hosts “United To Read” to read each year in which 150 volunteers from around the community visit local schools to read to first-graders.