PIRATE SPORTS ONLINE - Vol. 2 No. 27, Thursday, March 6, 2003

Thursday, March 6, 2003
NAIA Champions of Character Initiative
PIRATES READ WITH KINDERGARTENERS; URGE LITERACY AT PRAIRIE POINT ELEMENTARY
PARKVILLE, MO--Members of the Park University men's soccer team and head coach Efrem Shimlis visited Staci Leive's afternoon kindergarten class Tuesday at Prairie Point Elementary in the Park Hill School District.  Twenty-five kindergarteners split into groups to listen as junior Derrick Green and sophomore captain Justin Boersma read aloud from children's books including "The Gingerbread Man."  Green, a 2002 NAIA All-America Scholar Athlete, and Boersma, an elementary education major at Park, spent forty-five minutes with the children; following the read-aloud, students from the school assembled for a costume party for which they dressed as their favorite characters from books.   
     "Interaction with the young students means so much to our players and the kids," said Shimlis.  "It doesn't take much time to see how much everyone involved grows from the experience.  By reading with the children, we're affirming a message we believe strongly at Park." 
     In early February, Shimlis and three players volunteered for the school's International Night, during which elementary students moved from table to table, collecting stamps for imitation passports and learning about different countries and cultures.
     Team members will also host four free foot skill clinics for youth soccer players in coordination with the Southern Platte County Athletic Association.  Sessions are scheduled from 5:30-7:00 p.m. on March 19, March 26, April 2, and April 9 for players ages 7-13.  The free clinics will be held at Tiffany Spring Park on field 10 of the upper level. 

Sunday, March 2, 2003
Men's Volleyball Results
PIRATES UNABLE TO CAPITALIZE ON MATCH POINTS AGAINST #3 LINDENWOOD
ST. CHARLES, MO--Park University (11-3, 4-3) fought to within two match point chances against the #3 Lindenwood University Lions Sunday afternoon before conceding the match, 3-2.  Game scores were 30-26, 30-28, 23-30, 23-30, and 18-20.  The Pirates opened with a two-game lead in the match, helped by Skye Gosewisch who ended the match 17 kills and 14 digs.  Seidu Ajanako led Park with 18 kills.  Gustavo Rosha made 73 assists.  Marco Aurelio finished with 19 digs; Eduardo Collier added ten blocks. 

Saturday, March 1, 2003
Men's Volleyball Results
MISSOURI BAPTIST OUTLASTS PARK, 3-2
ST. LOUIS, MO--The #2 Missouri Baptist College Spartans outlasted Park University (11-2, 4-2) Saturday afternoon, 3-2 (27-30, 30-26, 28-30, 30-25, 10-15).  Seidu Ajanako had 33 kills for Park.  Setter Gustavo Rocha distributed 60 assists.  Marco Aurelio was Park's leader in blocks with seven; senior Skye Gosewisch made 15 digs.  Missouri Baptist will be in Parkville on Friday, March 28 for a 7:00 p.m. match.

Monday, February 24, 2003
Women's Basketball News
PIRATES FINISH FOURTH IN INDEPENDENT REGION, FACE SPALDING
PARKVILLE, MO--The Park University women's basketball team (9-21) finished the season with a Hunter Rating of 3.03, earning them the fourth seed in the NAIA Division I Independent Regional Tournament in Owensboro, Ky., next week.  On Thursday, March 6, Park will play #5 Spalding at 6:00 p.m.  The winner of that game will play against #1 Brescia University, the tournament's host, at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 7.  #2 Central State (Ohio) and #3 Transylvania (Ky.) tip-off at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. The championship with be played at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 8.

For more information, visit the Park University Department of Athletics web site at www.park.edu/athletic.

Boldface text indicates events held on the Park University campus.
% Designates Senior Day - The final home regular season contest before which seniors will be recognized.