The Fredonia Blue Devil men's hockey team visited Fredonia Elementary School as part of the new "Celebrate Monday" program.
The players formed a human tunnel at both school entrances and high-fived youngsters entering the building at the start of their school week. On future Mondays, other Blue Devil teams will do likewise.
"'Celebrate Monday,'" Fredonia Director of Athletics Jerry Fisk said, "is a program where Fredonia State Athletics will send a team to Fredonia Elementary School (with) the idea of welcoming the kids when they get to school Monday morning ... to get them excited for school and get our teams out in the community."
Mr. Fisk was part of the welcoming line as was Men's Hockey Head Coach Jeff Meredith and Vice President for Enrollment and Student Services Dr. Cedric Howard. They were joined by Fredonia Central School teachers and administrators.
"We pride ourselves," Fredonia Elementary School Principal Amy Piper said, "that we love having kids run into the building every day. To know that they're going to be greeted by college athletes right here in the community, the smiles are priceless."
Judging from the smiles, the hockey players were having as much of a good time as the youngsters. "It's really nice," senior captain Jamie Young (Russell, Ohio) said, "to get with the kids here and start off their week well ... It's a little cold, a little snowy, but the kids love it and we love it."
"The players are having a great time," Ms. Piper said. "It's great to see them with such enthusiasm. It's awesome."
