Almost 4,000 fifth-grade students from Richmond and Columbia counties attended the Augusta University men’s basketball Education Day games at Christenberry Fieldhouse in December. The annual event gives local elementary students the chance to watch college basketball while encouraging educational engagement.
On December 2, Augusta University overcame a nine-point halftime deficit to defeat Paine College 73-57 during the ninth annual Richmond County contest. The Jaguars limited Paine College to just 27.3% shooting in the second half and prevented them from making any three-pointers during that period. Augusta University finished with six three-pointers and converted 21 of their 29 free throw attempts, capitalizing on 16 turnovers by scoring 23 points off them.
Malinda Cobb, PhD, Superintendent of Schools for Richmond County, said, “We’re thankful to have this opportunity to be able to bring all of our fifth graders here so we can celebrate Augusta University, Paine College and Education Day. It’s a great opportunity for many of our students. This has become such a tradition that our fifth graders really look forward to making sure that they have this field trip, this capstone experience, before they leave elementary and head to middle school.”
On December 18, Augusta University hosted Reinhardt University for Columbia County’s third annual Education Day game. The Jaguars shot 62% in the second half and won decisively with a score of 97-62. Tobias Prall led the team with 23 points, followed by Elias Palsson with 14 points and Charlie McBeath with 10 points and ten rebounds. The team collectively made twelve three-pointers and scored twenty-five points off turnovers; their bench contributed forty points.
Chris Hughes, director of athletics and student activities for the Columbia County School District commented on the impact: “A lot of them haven’t experienced this before, and just to see them when they come in and they’re all together and enjoying this atmosphere on this college campus, it’s rewarding to see them,” Hughes said. “Augusta University is a huge partner with us in the Columbia County School District, not only academically with our teaching as a pathway program but also in events like this. It’s important for our kids to get to experience this. We think a lot of the partnership we have with AU, and it’s events like this that make it grow.”
The Education Day games were first proposed by men’s basketball coach Dip Metress along with former athletic director Clint Bryant as an initiative for both Richmond County and later Columbia County schools. Over time these games have become anticipated events among local fifth-graders.
“Today was the loudest I’ve ever heard it in there,” Metress said after the Dec. 18 game. “This is a wonderful and enjoyable event. Our guys love it, and I love it as a coach as well. My niece teaches at a school, and they look forward to it. This wouldn’t happen without the athletic directors in the schools being behind this and without Columbia County bringing their buses to bring their kids; this just doesn’t happen otherwise.”
