Eastern Washington’s Read Like an Eagle program is growing in its second year, bringing basketball players and coaches into local elementary schools to promote reading. This fall, students can earn a prize and a ticket to an Eagles home game by meeting a six-week reading goal.

By the Numbers
  • More than 35 elementary schools and 12,000-plus students reached.
  • 15 players and eight staff members are participating, contributing 366 volunteer hours.
  • About 175 classroom read-alouds have been held.
  • The challenge runs for six weeks, from Oct. 19 through Nov. 30.
Yes, But

Reading targets vary by grade: kindergarten students aim for 300 minutes total, while students in grades 1–5 aim for 600. The game ticket and prize are incentives for students who meet their goal.

What's Next

Students who qualify can attend an Eastern Washington home game during Big Sky Conference season against Portland State, Montana State or Idaho. Cheney School District game assignments are still to be announced.

Bottom Line

EWU is turning its visibility into a practical community effort: encouraging reading while helping students build connections with college athletes.