Athletics: New Ragin’ Readers Program Announced with Lafayette Public Library

Reading initiative, presented by Our Lady of Lourdes, unveiled for summer in Lafayette

LAFAYETTE – Louisiana Athletics and its Young Ragin’ Cajuns Club have partnered with the Lafayette Public Library System to create Ragin’ Readers, presented by Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s and Children’s Hospital. The initiative will promote the library’s goal for children in Acadiana to read more than three million minutes this summer.
 
"We’re excited to launch another local outreach program for Ragin’ Cajuns Athletics, especially with a partner like the Lafayette Public Library, which is a cornerstone of our community," Deputy Director of Athletics for External Operations Nico Yantko said. "This partnership will encourage and incentivize young people to discover the value of reading, while introducing them to the Ragin’ Cajuns and our outstanding university."
 
The program will encourage children from kindergarten through sixth grade to read at least 20 minutes per day for 30 days. Readers will be able to earn prizes including Sonic Drive-In coupons, Young Ragin’ Cajuns Club sunglasses and Coach Napier bobbleheads. Additionally, tickets to one football and one men’s basketball game will be provided free of charge to participants. Children that complete the challenge will be recognized during a football game this season.
 
Parents and guardians can print off the Ragin’ Readers activity log or bingo board to participate. When finished, email the form(s) to geauxcajuns@louisiana.edu for confirmation and instructions on picking up prizes.
 
For more information about the reading challenge, visit RaginCajuns.com/RaginReaders.
 
Note: Due to NCAA rules, participants in seventh grade or higher are not eligible to participate in the Ragin’ Readers program.