SAN MARCOS, Calif. – The Cal State San Marcos women's basketball team took a break from school and practice on Friday, Dec. 5 to volunteer at a local elementary school.  

"We were thrilled and thankful that Discovery Elementary School allowed our team to come run their first and fourth grade PE classes for the day," said Interim Head Coach Crystal Harris. "Engaging with the youth in our community is extremely important to us."

The student-athletes ran stations that included instruction on passing, dribbling, layups and shooting.  

After each clinic, the coaches and student-athletes brought everyone together and had a "chalk talk".  They stressed the importance of school and studying hard with the fourth graders and talked about working hard with the first graders.  Following the "chalk talk", each group was given the chance to ask the CSUSM student-athletes questions.  

In between the two PE classes, the Cougars played pick up games with the fifth graders during their recess.

"Our student-athletes are positive role models for young kids," Harris said. "It's important for them to see how a little bit of their time and energy can make such an impression on the youth.

"I think both the children at Discovery and our student-athletes both learned valuable lessons from each other."