Sooners Go One-on-One in the Classroom

For the third consecutive season, the Oklahoma men's basketball team is impacting the Norman community by going one-on-one in the classroom at Truman Primary School. All 16 Sooners will be visiting their adopted classrooms at least once a month throughout the 2016-17 school year.

Each player is assigned one or two classrooms at the Norman elementary school to visit on multiple occasions this season. The players return to the same class each month to check up on their students and get to know the kids and their interests. The activities in the classroom include reading to the students, answering questions and helping with school work.

“These kids look up to athletes as role models,” said Principal Kristie Eselin. “It's very exciting to have the guys we see on posters and on the court and TV come in and work one-on-one with small groups of kids. It's great motivation and helps keep the kids engaged. It's fun to see them in action with the kids.”

Daniel Harper helps teach students about fractions by using flash cards.

Many Sooners made their first visit of the season on Friday morning, including newcomer Darrion Strong. A junior guard from Coffeyville Community College, Strong has previously done community work with local schools while playing in JUCO. The chance to connect with kids in his new home of Norman is a special opportunity, especially for someone majoring in sports management and hoping to coach kids in the future.

“This is my major,” said Strong. “I love dealing with kids as far as coaching them and showing them stuff I would do when I was little. It's a really good experience, especially with us being in the position that we are to give back to the community. Being able to come and spend time with these kids is great…I love being around kids, I love coaching kids.”

Senior guard Daniel Harper is now in his third year of adopting a local classroom in Norman and has come to appreciate the ability of getting to know the kids each and every visit.

“You really get to know the kids individually because you get to go multiple times,” said Harper. “You learn the kids' names and when you get there they get so excited. It becomes a joy for you to visit them because it puts a smile on your face as well.”

The lasting partnership also creates a chance for teachers and students to use unique learning opportunities. Kelsey Stein is using her second grade classroom's adopted player, sophomore center Jamuni McNeace, to teach her students math, writing and creativity.

“My students have been working on a numbers story with Jamuni,” explained Stein. “They have drawings and take turns writing a part of the story and including different numbers. We take what we're learning and use the players to help us. All the stories they've been writing have been about Jamuni and we're going to compile it in a book for him. It's made this experience even more engaging and exciting.”

Stay tuned to SoonerSports.com throughout the upcoming season to continue following the Sooners' experiences at Truman and throughout the Norman community.