Dec. 19, 2005

College student-athletes have a unique opportunity that professional athletes are not afforded - they can be role models not just for their accomplishment on the field, but for their work in the classroom as well. Jesus Urbina is one such role model.

Urbina is a member of the George Mason men's basketball team. The junior from Venezuela has recently begun joining his coach, Jim Larranaga, in touring area elementary schools to help promote reading and its importance. A large percentage of the students Urbina has been meeting are Spanish speaking, which gives Urbina a chance to introduce himself in his native tongue.

"I meet with the kids in their classroom," said Urbina. "Coach L introduces himself and then I introduce myself in Spanish."

After introductions are out of the way, Urbina will read to the kids and talk to them about how critical it is to read.

"We tell them how important it is to go to school," said Urbina. "We emphasis how important it is to read and all the knowledge you can gain by reading. And we emphasize schoolwork."

Urbina said that the idea of going to schools and reading to children came from Coach Larranaga, and when he asked for a volunteer, Urbina didn't have to think twice.

"Anything involving kids, I love to take part in," Urbina said. "They want to follow a role model. That's the fun part of it."

So far, the visits by Urbina and Larranaga have been to Providence Elementary School. In Mason's second semester, the pair will visit McNair Elementary.