ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT ADOPTS SPORTING GEOGRAPHY PROGRAM

In an effort to make learning geography fun, the athletic department has started the Old Dominion University Sporting Geography program with Outback Steakhouse for children in grades 4-8 of South Hampton Roads schools.

More than 4,000 students in 116 local classrooms enrolled in the spring semester program.

Sporting Geography is a national educational outreach program that complements social studies curriculum objectives in those grades. The Sporting Geography kit provides teachers with weekly, hands-on activities, which started in January and continues through March.

Students use the lesson plans to study the geography and history of the hometowns and countries of Monarch and Lady Monarch athletes. The national program motivates students to learn geography while linking them with their hometown college teams.

There is no cost to the schools to enroll. The teachers use the curriculum once a week, and the program adheres to materials that are designed to emphasize state requirements and national geography standards. Students can earn extra credit by writing to a coach or student athlete.

Outback Steakhouse has also sponsored free basketball game tickets for outstanding Sporting Geography students. These tickets are distributed based on teacher-established criteria, such as "Outstanding Student" or "Most Improved Student."

For more information about the program call 683-4705.