K-State football players share their love of reading, creating special memories for children in Manhattan.
As Sterling Lockett opened the doors to Rise Academy, sauntered down the hallway and disappeared into a classroom full of young students, the K-State wide receiver was reminded of those sports stars who years ago visited his classroom at Sunrise Point Elementary School in Leawood, Kansas.
“It’s just a blessing to be in a position where you might be the reason a young person goes on to do something special in life,” Lockett said.
Travis Bates felt positive vibes, too, as he accompanied Lockett and 13 other K-State football players who participated in a special reading day at Rise Academy and the K-State Center for Child Development. Bates, a defensive tackle, presents an imposing frame at 6-foot-3 and 278 pounds, but memories swirled as the native of Tomball, Texas, remembered sitting wide-eyed in his Rose Hill Elementary School, listening to elite athletes read his own favorite childhood book, “No No, Jo!”
“It’s awesome to give back to the K-State and Manhattan communities, and especially the children, because I was a child once,” Bates said. “I feel like I exist to give to others.”
For one hour, children sat on their mats, quiet and engaged as Lockett sat on a small chair to read the Dr. Seuss classic, “Green Eggs and Ham.” Then Lockett read “When I Grow Up, I Want to Be a K-State Wildcat,” which was found inside each classroom at Rise Academy.
Willie Wildcat made a quick appearance in each classroom, too, garnering the loudest cheers of the morning.
“The children were great and had so much fun,” Lockett said. “My favorite part was seeing the smiles on the faces of all the kids and how interactive and excited they were when we walked in, introduced ourselves, and talked about our experiences at K-State.”
With their positions now reversed and seeing the kids’ faces lighting up for them, the players got something out of it too. “At the end, it was cool to see the students looking up to us and asking questions,” added Bates.
Just as Lockett opened the morning reading with one of the most popular books in history, he closed his portion of the reading day event by delivering classic advice to the kids in the classroom.
“I told the children to listen to their parents, try hard in school, and follow their dreams and work hard, because hard work can take you really far in life,” Lockett said. “I told them whatever you think you can accomplish, you can, if you put in the hard work.”