URI Men's And Women's Swimming & Diving Teams Adopt Narragansett Elementary School

May 14, 2003

NARRAGANSETT, R.I. - University of Rhode Island swimming & diving head coach Mick Westkott took the athletic department's Rhody Reads elementary school reading program one step further.

Coaches Westkott Sam Peck and 14 members of the URI men's and women's swimming & diving teams recently went to the Narragansett Elementary School to read to youth during the school's Reading Week.

Not only did the swimming & diving teams participate in the URI athletic department's Rhody Reads program which featured over 70 URI student-athletes who visited elementary schools in April, Westkott and his teams have adopted the Narragansett Elementary School and will work with them on other projects during the school year.

Westkott, a retired teacher from the Narragansett School system, is no stranger to the Narragansett Elementary School having taught there for 15 years. Currently his son Mark and wife Pam teach there as well.

Members of the URI swimming & diving teams that participated in the elementary school reading program included Jillian Oresman, Dominic Moccia, Lisa Mangione, Liatte Krueger, Kate Ryan, Kate Wilson, Jodi Tvietmoe, Caroline Rousseau, Kelly Dansbury, Megan Leonard, Lauren Kerivan, Matt Emmert, Erin Baxter and Michael Richards.

"This is our second year of participation in Reading Week at the Narragansett Elementary School and it is quite rewarding for my student-athletes," Westkott said. "I believe strongly in having the student-athletes take time out of their busy schedule to volunteer in the community and to instill the values of education and hard work amongst the youth."