Tech Basketball Reaches Out to the Local Community

MELBOURNE, Fla. – “Slam Dunk Smoking” the name to coach Mims and the Panthers Men’s Basketball community project got underway Thursday, October 26th as they visited Stone Middle School and visited St. Mark’s Academy on Friday, October 27th to reiterate the statement, “Basketball and smoking don’t mix!”

The program is designed to help kids understand the harmful affects of smoking cigarettes as a youngster and how it affects them as they grow older. To go along with a speaking presentation, coach Mims and the Panther players demonstrated their dunking and basketball skills for the children’s efforts of “Slam Dunking Smoking” and the habit of smoking.

“Slam Dunk Smoking gives our players a great opportunity to give something back to the kids in our community and emphasize the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle,” coach Mims stated.

The Florida Tech Panthers efforts reached out to many of the students along with the local community as well as Stone Hill Principal Andrew Johnson who was stated in the Florida Today Newspaper. “It was the first time I could remember having had a visit by Florida Tech athletes, who go to school just down University Boulevard…I welcome a program like this because my kids see some of their own who have been successful and they realize that they can get to the next level.”

For the entire release printed in the Florida Today, check out: http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061026/BREAKINGNEWS/61026033/-1/archives

Nick Lauletta
Asst. Sports Information Director
Florida Tech
P. 321-674-7502
F. 321-984-8529
http://gopanthers.fit.edu