UK to Observe National Student-Athlete Day During Month of April

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 3, 2015) — Hundreds of events around the nation in the coming days and weeks will mark the 28th annual National Student-Athlete Day, including activities sponsored by the University of Kentucky. Governor Steve Beshear also has issued a proclamation recognizing April 6, 2015, as National Student-Athlete Day in the state of Kentucky. UK Athletics will launch a series of events starting Saturday, April 11, to mark the occasion:

·         On April 11, the UK Women's Golf team will participate in a meal packing service event at Grace Christian Church in Georgetown, Kentucky. The event is sponsored by the nonprofit organization Feed My Starving Children.

·         On April 13, a student-athlete appreciation table will be set up at the Center for Academic and Tutorial Services (CATS). 

·         On April 14, UK track and field student-athlete Whitney O'Bryan will be one of the featured motivational speakers at Cassidy Elementary School's Special Needs Awareness Week celebration. 

·         The UK Women's Soccer team will partner with College Mentors for Kids after school program for a soccer activity at the UK Women's Soccer Complex (Date TBD).      

In addition to UK student-athlete appearances, several elementary school visits to various UK Athletics facilities have been scheduled for later in the month.

National Student-Athlete Day honors student-athletes and the network of parents, coaches, teachers and school systems that make it possible for young people to strike a balance between academic and athletic achievement and who use sport as a vehicle for positive social change.  The day, established by the National Consortium for Academics & Sports, is co-sponsored by the NCAA and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and Northeastern University's Center for Sport in Society.

President Obama has saluted those involved in National Student-Athlete Day activities. In an open letter acknowledging the day, he wrote, "A healthy balance between sports and academics is essential to ensuring that our students are prepared for the challenges of the future."

More information about National Student-Athlete Day is available at http://ncasports.org/programs/national-student-athlete-day/

MEDIA CONTACT:  Carl Nathe, (859) 257-3200; Dustin Lewis, (859) 257-2762.