Bessemer, Alabama – Birmingham-Southern Basketball Assistant Coach, Zac Richards, accompanied by four current student athletes – (above, from left to right) Junior Conor O'Sullivan and Redshirt-Junior Matt Gonda, along with (not pictured) Juniors Bruce Bright and Ben Spence – took a short trip to Bessemer to visit the students from Oak Grove Elementary School earlier this week. The visit consisted of a brief assembly, led by Coach Richards, in which the BSC student-athletes shared their thoughts on reading and going to college, followed by a short skills demonstration in which the players showcased passing, dribbling, and shooting. The assembly's grand finale consisted of a select group of Oak Grove students getting the chance to get on the court with real college athletes in a head-to-head shooting competition – Oak Grove versus BSC Basketball.

​

​

This visit is the first elementary school trip of the season for the Panthers' basketball program. The visit is in conjunction with our "Turn the Page with Coach Chris Graves" series, which challenges local elementary school students to read five books to earn a free family pass to the BSC Basketball game of their choosing. The series will continue throughout the season as the Panthers' players and coaches will visit a number schools throughout the greater-Birmingham area to spread the importance of academia and generate excitement for the upcoming season of Panther Hoops!

​

​

Be on the lookout for our next visit! We just might be coming to your school!