Sunflower Elementary Wins Schools for Success Award

LAWRENCE, Kan. – For the second-straight year, Kansas women’s basketball head coach Bonnie Henrickson, along with members of the team, assistant coaches and Baby Jay announced in a special assembly that Sunflower Elementary was named the 2013-14 “Schools For Success” elementary school challenge winner.

“We’re excited to present the check for the Schools for Success program for the second year in a row to Sunflower Elementary,” said Henrickson. “We are proud of how this program continues to grow each year and the relationships our players are creating with each school that participates.”

Baby Jay entertained the crowd of students prior to the start of the assembly and gave out hugs and high-fives. Henrickson thanked all the students for coming to the games this season and introduced the team.

After introductions of the 2013-14 Jayhawks, Henrickson and junior guard Natalie Knight presented Sunflower Elementary with an autographed basketball, which was signed by the entire team and staff, along with a check for $2,500.

“It’s a win-win for our program and the children of the Lawrence School district,” Henrickson added. “It provides these young boys and girls a chance to experience games in Allen Fieldhouse and watch women’s basketball. They get to be a part of the environment and the kids bring a lot of energy to the Fieldhouse. Our players do a great job of being good role models in the community and the Schools for Success program helps connect us with the youth of Lawrence.”   
 
The Elementary School Attendance Challenge is a friendly competition between 14 Lawrence schools to have the highest percentage attendance rate at home KU women’s basketball games during the 2014 Big 12 Conference season. 

Kansas Athletics provided an admission card to each student in the K-5th grades which allows free admission at the gate to all Big 12 Conference home games.  In addition, this card can be presented at the KU ticket office to receive a $3 ticket for family and friends and a $1 juice box.  Each elementary is adopted by a member of the KU women’s basketball team and staff, who visits to meet the students, read, eat lunch, play at recess and provide a positive role model for the kids in the community.

About Schools for Success
Schools for Success is a program developed by Kansas Athletics with the purpose of increasing awareness and attendance for KU women’s basketball. For more information on participating in the Schools for Success program, please contact Kate Stoess at kstoess@ku.edu or (785) 864-4962, or visit your school’s front office.

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