The Augusta University Jaguars opened their Peach Belt Conference play with a 105-96 victory over the USC Beaufort Sand Sharks during a special Columbia County Education Day Game on Wednesday.
The Education Day Game is a new tradition, kicking off just last year, which invites fifth graders from all Columbia County publicsSchools to attend a game and cheer on the Jaguars.
Student perspectives
Nearly 2,000 fifth graders filled the gym to participate in the event. Of these, two took time to share their thoughts on the game.
“It’s amazing!” said student Jett Blue. “I like it a lot.”
Fellow fifth-grader Jackson Zehr felt similarly.
““It’s really fun. it’s just a good experience…it’s cool seeing them play, they’re really good,” Zehr said.
Both Blue and Zehr said they enjoy athletics and could see themselves playing for Augusta University someday.
Teachers on the impact of Education Day
Several teachers from Euchee Creek Elementary School talked about the impact Education Day has on students.
“It’s just a way to get the kids excited about learning and education,” commented teacher Julie Busby, who noted that Education Game Day focuses especially on promoting reading; Jaguar cheerleaders wore special shirts that read “Readers are Leaders” just for the occasion.
“It just basically gets kids excited about education in general…[education] goes beyond the classroom and into sports and fun,” Busby added.
“They’re most excited that they get to come on a college campus,” said teacher Tabitha Purvis, the Columbia County School District Teacher of the Year. “They think that is the coolest thing.”
Another teacher, Teresa Taylor, added that visiting the college means a lot to many Columbia County students as it’s where their parents attended. I’ve had several say, ‘My parents went to school here and I plan to go to school here as well,’” said Taylor.
Taylor added that she believes Education Game Day will continue to be held for years to come.
Upcoming Peach Belt Game
The next Jaguar game within the Peach Belt Conference will be a home game against Columbus State University on Jan. 4 at 3:30 p.m.
