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NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Under the leadership of Roland Ross, Director of Community Outreach, the Christopher Newport Department of Athletics continued its annual tradition, Kids First, on the first day of Newport News Public Schools. On Monday, August 24, over 400 student-athletes, coaches, and staff came together for the annual initiative encouraging a safe return to school for local elementary aged children. 

"This our 25th year and we had a really impressive group out there. It is very exciting to see the community come together for Kids First," said Ross. 

The group of CNU representatives welcomed back the students at many elementary schools around the city while also posting up on sidewalks and corners on two of the cities main thoroughfares with signs encouraging driver safety. The Kids First community service project continues to be a terrific success, encouraging drivers to slow down and drive safe. 

The initiative began in 2002 with a modest group of student-athletes and staff and has grown to include nearly every team on campus and hundreds of volunteers. Adorned with "Kids First, Drive Safely" signs, student-athletes and coaches waved at drivers at local intersections to encourage safety. 

Additionally, student-athletes and teams traveled to the doorsteps of several local elementary schools to offer encouragement on the first day of school. Operation Smile, part of the annual tradition for over a decade, sees CNU Captains offering high fives, applause, and roaring cheers for the elementary-aged students in the local neighborhoods. 

The Captains  have community service partnerships with several NNPS elementary schools. If you are interested in the Captains volunteering for your organization, please contact Coach Ross at 757-594-7041.