Student athletes and coaches gathered in the parking lot of the Walmart on South Elm Street on Oct. 16 to meet supporters and fans from the Greensboro community.
The athletes also showed appreciation to Walmart for all of their support and efforts in providing finances that go towards athletic scholarships. The function provided food, music, and different vendors for athletes, coaches and alumni to enjoy.
During the program, members of Walmart’s staff and A&T’s athletic department recognized those who have provided money to help take care of Aggie Athlete’s financially.
“It takes about $3.5 million each year to provide scholarships for all of our student-athletes,” said Athletic Director Earl Hilton. “We are delighted by the community support these young men and women have received from Walmart and their vendors.”
Walmart representatives have attended various A&T events, including basketball and football games, All-Sports Awards Banquets, Commencement, and homecoming.
“Being here today is important because we are giving back to our community and the people get to see us and talk to us which is good because they get to see us outside of our sports element,” said Andre McKoy, senior baseball player whose major is business.
Teams in attendance also included the baseball, softball, swimming, the band accompanied by Golden Delight, the cheerleading squad, and the men and women’s track and field teams.
“To be a student-athlete means to be a student first, a role model that’s dedicated, motivated and hard working. Managing this is not hard only if you are able to manage your time well,” said Natalia Bygrave a junior psychology major and member of the women’s track team.
Many of the student-athletes have to juggle having a social life, maintaining a decent performance in their sport, as well as excel in the classroom.
Many of our student athletes have a demanding major and like Juanita Weaver, senior mechanical engineering major, they feel as if they are slighted for their work efforts.
“School is not easy but there are other majors who have more challenging and more demanding work compared to maybe a student who is majoring in History,” said Weaver. “More honor students are in a STEM field which is rated higher and they should be recognized because statistically a 3.0 in a STEM major is more impressive than a nonmath STEM major.”
Though the athletes may have different views on the work ethic of one another, the community and Athletic department are proud and support Aggie athletes. “Fantastic” was the first word Hilton stated, “It’s wonderful, all the community involvement to continue education at A&T. We are so appreciative of the community and their consistency over the past six years.”
Jim Mceod, who was the coordinator for the event and also employee for Pepsi, said, “It’s a great program that we started six years ago. I am an A&T alum so I wanted to give back.”
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- Meagan Jordan, Contributor