Members of the Nebraska men’s basketball team made a special appearance at McPhee Elementary School in Lincoln on Wednesday, Sept. 12, spending an hour with children from kindergarten to fifth grade.

Coach Doc Sadler has made it a top priority for the basketball program, players and staff to get involved within the Lincoln and greater Nebraska communities since he took over the program in August 2006. The Husker players and staff often make appearances around the city and other areas, trying to give back to fans and supporters of all ages.

Among the players in attendance were Ade Dagunduro, Alex Chapman, Steve Harley, Sek Henry, Ben Nelson, Nick Krenk, Toney McCray, Brandon Richardson and Mike Diacos. The Huskers started the session by breaking into three groups of three to work with individual classrooms. The primary message conveyed by the Huskers was about working hard in school and trying to achieve any dream to which you set your mind. To reach their goals, the players emphasized the need to graduate from high school and stressed the importance of trying to obtain a college education as well.

“This is something the players enjoy because it’s easy for them to see how they can help,” said NU Director of Operations Chris Croft, who along with graduate manager Eric Colbert, escorted the Husker group Wednesday.

“All student-athletes at Nebraska are looked up to by children and we help the players understand their role in making a difference in the community. Whenever you can give back to the community, it’s a good thing, especially when it’s this type of event. The players can gain something from it, feel good about it and even look forward to doing it again.”

After individual classroom sessions, the team members came together for an all-school assembly where they answered questions and continued to re-enforce the school’s motto of ‘Work hard, get smart. Work harder, get smarter.”

“At McPhee, we stress that every one of our children that graduates high school should go to college, and to have the Nebraska athletes here, there is a reality that the children can see about their future,” said McPhee Elementary School principal Bess Scott.

“The kids can see that by working hard in the classroom and working hard within their sport, these athletes moved on to college. It’s not about the sport, but about how you can dream to achieve in high school and college and get your diploma. These students can see themselves reflected in the Husker athletes, and see they can make it a reality that they can get to college.”