CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The Chattanooga Mocs men’s basketball team is joining an effort to battle illiteracy in Chattanooga and the surrounding area with a national program. Coaching for Literacy (CFL) adds the program to its “Assistant Coach Program” for this season.
The mission of Coaching for Literacy is to increase awareness about the number of people in America who are functionally or totally illiterate, and the social problems associated with illiteracy. By leveraging the unique power of collegiate and professional sports, Coaching for Literacy raises money to support effective local literacy programs and schools focused on educating elementary and middle school students.
“We are proud to be a part of the Coaching for Literacy Assistant Coach Program,” said coach Will Wade. “Educating a child, making an impact on their lives at the elementary and middle school levels, that lasts a lifetime. That's why we are excited to get involved.”
The concept of the Assistant Coach Program is simple. Coaching for Literacy conducts an online auction where the winner provides a monetary donation to literacy efforts and receives two all-access “Assistant Coach” passes with Wade’s Chattanooga Mocs when they host Mercer on Feb. 19. Courtside access, admittance to the locker room, autographed memorabilia and college specific attire, provided by CFL partner Peter Millar, are just some of the perks provided for the generous donors. This donation is then reallocated by CFL to its effective literacy partners both in Memphis and Chattanooga, Tenn.
“Coach Wade is one of America’s up-and-coming coaches,” said CFL Board Chairman John E. Wilfong. “We are excited to partner together and with his help, we hope to bring attention to the problem of illiteracy and provide financial support to literacy efforts in the Chattanooga community.”
On Feb. 19, the Mocs host the Mercer Bears and CFL’s Assistant Coach Program. Proceeds from the Assistant Coach Program are directed, in part, to the Read 20 program in Chattanooga.
“Read 20 is extremely thrilled to partner with Coaching for Literacy,” said Read 20 chief reading officer Shawn Kurrelmeier-Lee. “Coaching for Literacy’s Assistant Coach Program is a powerful tool that will engage the business community in the investment of literacy for our greater community, and we are truly excited to be a recipient of the program.”
To bid on the opportunity to be an “Assistant Coach” with the Mocs and take the fight to illiteracy, click here: UTC Assistant Coach Program Auction.
For more information on Chattanooga CFL Assistant Coach Program, contact Ryan Viner (P: 901.410.3633 | E: ryan@coachingforliteracy.org).