University of Tennessee Athletics
Vols Spend Day With Knox-Area Kids
January 28, 2016 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 28, 2016
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee basketball team had a day off from practice Wednesday, so after classes, the Volunteers spent the afternoon doing some community outreach in the Knoxville area. The day's efforts centered around kids.
Five Vols--seniors Devon Baulkman, Armani Moore, Kevin Punter Jr. and Derek Reese, along with sophomore Ray Kasongo--dropped by East Tennessee Children's Hospital to surprise patients, sign autographs, pose for photos and spread some Big Orange cheer.
"I really, really enjoy doing stuff like this," Punter said. "It's just a humbling experience to see these kids and how positive they are. Of course, it's not fun to be in the hospital, but they were smiling and having a good time with us. It was a good day."
Later in the afternoon, a group of five underclassmen played games with area kids at the Thrive Lonsdale after-school program. Kyle Alexander, Kasongo, Shembari Phillips, Admiral Schofield and Lamonté Turner all took part.
Schofield participated in a Q&A session with the Thrive Lonsdale kids, and he also put on an impromptu musical demonstration with a guitar that was already on site.
"It was a great experience to get out in the community and spend time with some really cool kids today," Schofield said. "I think they were amazed at how quickly we learned their names and picked up on some of the games they play. We got to talk with them, give them some advice on things to do in order to be successful.
"We came from the same places they are now. It's important for us to let them see that if you focus, pay attention in school and listen to your parents and teachers, you can make it--you can be successful."
Tennessee (10-10, 3-5 SEC) returns to the practice court Thursday in preparation for Saturday's Big 12/SEC Challenge game at TCU in Fort Worth, Texas. That game tips off at 2:05 p.m. ET and will be televised nationally on ESPN2.
