NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- As an incentive for a successful fall semester, the Christopher Newport men's basketball team welcomed in students from their community engagement group "S.L.A.M." to last week's Frostburg State game, for a full access experience. The Captains provided tickets, locker room tours, and a post-game reception for the students involved in the mentorship program. 

The S.L.A.M. Program, whose motto is "Tough and Together", provides a group of CNU Men's Basketball athletes with the opportunity to mentor a select group of male elementary school students. S.L.A.M. stands for "Student. Leader. Athlete. Mentor." and was started by the men's basketball coaching staff five years ago. The college athletes serve as mentors to 40 at-risk male students at Riverside Elementary School, Gildersleeve Middle School, and Enterprise Academy, an alternative middle and high school. 

"The CNU Men's Basketball Team is not only trying to win games, but we're trying to change lives through hoops," said assistant coach and Academic Outreach Director Roland Ross. "It's been a meaningful effort for both sides; I really think that our guys get as much out of this as the kids, and we're just trying to do our part."

The college athletes use basketball concepts with cooperative activities to help students learn skills and positive thought processes, which are necessary if these students are to excel academically, athletically, and socially. During the semester, CNU basketball players traveled to the three schools for 10 one-hour sessions that have benefitted both the elementary school students and the athletes. 

As a culminating event following the success of the program this fall, the elementary school students were invited to participate in last Saturday's game against Frostburg State. The students had an "all-access" pass to a CNU basketball game day environment, including pre-game warmups and a post-game social.