Nov. 19, 2005

SAN MARCOS - Beyond the time learning in the classrooms of Derrick Hall, Old Main or Centennial Hall, members of the Texas State football team are also discovering time well spent in other classrooms throughout San Marcos.

You see, each week members of the Bobcat football team mentor young students at elementary schools in the San Marcos area.

Each member of the team is assigned to an elementary class and takes one hour out of his week to read, mentor or just hang out with the students. This special program is called the Bobcat Buddies.

Sophomore Nick Clark spends his hour with Ms. Heller's class at Bowie Elementary School. The second-year starter at defensive end spends his first 20 minutes with the class at recess. Being a Math major, he volunteered to spend the remainder of his time helping the class during math stations.

Meghan Heller, a Texas State alum, enjoys having Clark visit her students.

"Nick Clark serves as a great mentor and role model for all of my students," Heller said. "They are all excited to see him when he comes to visit and they see how important college is."

Heller said she has noticed that it motivates her students to try harder in class as well.

Clark, an Academic All-America nominee nominee at Texas State, believes that Bobcat Buddies means a lot to the football program.

"It shows that we're not just here to play football and go back home," he said. "It shows that we really care about our community and we appreciate everyone who supports us."

Justin Marcellus, who will graduate this December, is among the involved players as well. The Bobcat tight end is paired with an At Risk student at DeZavala Elementary School.

Marcellus spends one-on-one time with Carlos Salmeron, a student in Alice Castillo's class. Together, they work on homework lessons, problems Carlos may be having or they just hang out and talk.

According to Mrs. Castillo, some students may not feel that college is an attainable goal and this is a great way for these students to start hearing about college and seeing it's rewards.

Castillo said, "Justin is a very polite and sweet young man who is willing to help Carlos in any way and with any lesson. Both Carlos and Justin seem to really enjoy working with each other."

In some way, Castillo hopes that the football players take something positive away from this experience as well as the students. The football coaching staff is very supportive of the program which serves as a life lesson for student-athletes.

"Each of our young men has decided by becoming a college athlete to be different and to stand out," said Texas State head coach David Bailiff. "In doing so, it is important for them to be role models in the community and to show young people the importance of education."

Bobcat Buddies is just one of the community outreach programs of the Texas State football team. The `Cats hold several free clinics throughout the year and are also involved in programs such as Habitat for Humanity and Bobcat Build.