MSUB’s Annual Elementary School Game: Inspiring Future Yellowjackets
by Brittany Schimke
photos courtesy of MSUB
Building a relationship with the community and inspiring future Yellowjackets is just what Montana State University Billings (MSUB) is doing. This year’s 5th Annual Elementary School Game, presented by Stockman Bank, was no exception. Held on Tuesday, October 22nd, it captivated the hearts of over 800 elementary school students across our community.
Elysian, Meadowlark, Newman, Shepherd, and Billings elementary school students filled the stands, eagerly cheering on the MSUB Women’s Basketball team as they took on the Montana Tech Orediggers in an exciting preseason opener. The Yellowjackets came out victorious, defeating the Orediggers 61-45. "We had a great environment today," shared Yellowjacket head coach Kevin Woodin.
For the past five years, MSUB’s women’s basketball team has made it a point to visit local elementary schools in the days leading up to this special game. The players spend time with students, building friendships and creating lasting connections. Coach Woodin reflects, “This has really grown into an incredible event. The kids just have an incredible day. We're lucky to be able to go into the schools the week before, and the girls get to meet and talk with the kids to build that connection. For many of these kids, it's their first time on a college campus, and we love being able to provide that experience. You can tell how excited they are by the number of signs in the gym and autographs we sign after, and it's one of the loudest games we host all year."
Beyond the game itself, the event is about fostering a relationship with the community and the next generation of Yellowjackets. It’s a memorable experience for both the athletes and the young fans. "We love getting the community involved with MSUB, and we think this is a great, and very fun, opportunity to do so," said Andrew Bonner, the Associate Athletic Director for Communications and Operations.
The atmosphere in the gym on Tuesday was electric, with many students stepping onto a college campus for the very first time. Before the game, the kids worked alongside the MSUB team to design cheers and make posters, all in suspense of cheering on the Yellowjackets. What’s usually a quiet noon game was anything but – the kids brought the energy, starting chants and filling the gym with excitement. After the game, they got the chance to meet the players and snag autographs, a moment that left smiles all around.
For the Yellowjackets, the event is more than just about winning. It’s about giving back and being role models. “Our players remember when they looked up to college athletes so much and want to be that positive role model for these elementary students,” Bonner shared. For some college athletes, it was an especially full-circle moment, as they got to see their students from student-teaching placements cheering them on from the stands.
With their strong defense and the high energy from the crowd, the Yellowjackets cruised to an exciting win over the Orediggers, marking a thrilling start to their season.
"The team loves the energy and excitement the kids bring to the gym, and they hope getting them to a game helps inspire the next generation to be basketball players, Yellowjackets, fans of athletics, etc.," Bonner added.
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