Nearly 2,500 Fifth Graders Ignite FSU’s Inaugural Education Day Basketball Game

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – While the Broncos are used to large crowds, there was a vibrant energy surging through Felton J. Capel Arena with nearly 2,500 Cumberland County School (CCS) fifth graders filling the seats for Fayetteville State University’s inaugural Education Day basketball game versus Carolina Christian College on Jan. 30.

They cheered the Broncos on dressed in an FSU blue shirt stating Future Broncos, which was the very purpose of the partnership between FSU Athletics and Cumberland County Schools to make this day happen.

“This is the future,” FSU Athletic Director Todd Bennett said emphatically. “I am extremely excited for them and the community that we were able to make this happen because we hope they’re enrolling here as Broncos,” he added as he watched the schools find their sections.

“I hope today inspires students to go to college and hopefully some will become a Bronco” said Chad Barbour, director of special activities at CCS, who graduated from FSU in 2001.

“FSU gave me an opportunity to get a great education, so personally, today is important for our students to experience the great opportunities that are here in Fayetteville.” Barbour added.

Twenty-nine CCS elementary schools arrived on FSU’s campus around 9 a.m. The students saw FSU cheerleaders and were introduced to the men’s basketball team ahead of the 11 a.m. game.

The rout was on early as FSU put up 67 points in the first half and every point the Broncos scored was met with an eruption of screams. “Let’s go Broncos,” they chanted as they played stellar defense. Not to mention, they moved in unison performing the latest dance trends during timeouts. Even halftime was a show as the Marching Bronco Express rounded out the full college experience.

“I am honored to serve our community in a fun and engaging way,” said Pamela Baldwin, vice chancellor for strategic enrollment and student success at FSU. “It is our responsibility to create exposure as early as possible and allow them to see themselves on a university campus, specifically FSU’s campus,” she added.

Kimlon Champagnie, fifth grade reading and science teacher at Baldwin Elementary, shared she’s excited to get back together in the classroom because the Education Day game can serve as a connection point to discuss future goals with her students.

“I have a student that loves basketball, and we can talk about what it takes to achieve his dreams to be like the FSU players,” Champagnie said.

FSU’s Education Day game was dominated by the Broncos and a screaming crowd of elementary students. The final score was 132-51, two points shy of the FSU all-time single-game scoring recording.

Isaiah Ray, a junior guard for FSU, scored 18 points in the big win. “The environment and energy were great, I’ve never played in a game like this,” Ray said. “I didn’t want us to take this moment for granted and to show the kids where hard work, doing the right thing and listening to our parents can get you.”

FSU Head Basketball Coach Luke D'Alessio said he was speechless, not only because of his team’s performance, but how engaged the students were the entire day. “I could hear all the noise from outside this morning, it was unbelievable,” coach D’Alessio said. “I told AD Bennett, we have to find a way to do this every year,’” he added.

The day also included older students, like Pine Forest High School’s marching band, basketball team and those interested in sports media. Kenan High School’s JROTC served as the color guard for the National Anthem before the game.

John Owens, who teaches a sports marketing class at Pine Forest, played a tremendous role in planning the event alongside FSU’s athletics department. “This gave my students real-world experience planning and running a sporting event,” Owens said. “We have dreamed about something like this for years and I’m thankful that FSU partnered with us to make it happen.