FSU Hoops to Help Raise Awareness for Literacy

No. 24 Florida State is set to take on 12th-ranked and defending national champion North Carolina on Wednesday night at the Donald L. Tucker Center, but that won’t be the only opponent.

FSU coaches will be wearing green ties to help increase literacy for youth programs. The effort is to raise awareness and funds for a program backed by Coaching for Literacy.

Coaching for Literacy is an organization that aims “to ensure that every child has the opportunity to determine their future, that they are not locked in their beginnings and have a say in their endings”. The Memphis-based organization was founded in August 2013 and works with coaches and teams to aid literacy programs. According to a release, Coaching for Literacy has funded 50 projects in 11 states, helping about 8,000 children.

The effort by the Seminoles that begins on Wednesday night will benefit the Early Learning Coalition of the Big Bend Area.

“The power of literacy is priceless, but so is the power of sports,” Matt Guse, chief executive officer of the Early Learning Coalition of the Big Bend Region said in a release. “We are excited to combine both powers by partnering with Florida State and Coaching for Literacy. The more we can expose our children and our parents to the importance of reading and access to books, the more successful our children will be in school and in life.”

FSU’s funding effort will last during a 4-game stretch through Jan. 13. The Seminoles will host North Carolina, Louisville, Syracuse and visit Miami during that span.

The goal is to raise $5,000 for Tallahassee-based nonprofit. To donate, click here.

Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson