During April, more than 75 student-athletes representing all 18 varsity teams spent time reading at four local elementary schools.

As part of the second annual URI Life Skills community service project, URI athletes visited 56 different classrooms at Melrose, Matunuck, Wakefield and Peace Dale elementary schools, reaching nearly 1,000 children.

“It humbled me as a person,” says men’s basketball player T.J. Buchanan. “I appreciate the opportunity to play at this level and give back to the community.”

“It showed me how much of a role college athletes actually play in younger children’s lives,” says Tyrone Jenkins, a member of the football team. “We really can have an impact. It felt so good to have those kids looking up to us.”