By MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / July 27, 1998

RESERVE – Youngsters in the Summer Reading Program at the Reservebranch of the St. John the Baptist Parish Library got to meet some of thesports figures they have read about at the library’s Sports Day Tuesdayafternoon.New Orleans Saints all-Pro offensive lineman Willie Roaf, New OrleansZephyrs community director Aaron Lombard and Zephyrs mascot Boudreauxwere on hand to encourage youngsters to read and stay in school.Boudreaux signed autographs and posed for pictures with the youngsters,and prizes ranging from Zephyrs caps and calendars to game tickets weregiven out.”Any time we get the opportunity to come out to a great program like thiswe do,” Lombard said. “We get a lot of requests throughout the city. Thefans have been more than supportive of us, and we feel we have anobligation to them.”Roaf also encouraged the youngsters to read, citing his own experienceswhen he was in school.”It is very important,” Roaf, who was leaving for training camp inLaCrosse, Wis., Thursday, said. “I didn’t read as much as I should have inschool, and it affected me. I read more now, and I see how much differenceit makes.Roaf also signed cards that he asked the youngsters to use as bookmarksas well as miniature footballs and other items the youngsters brought.

Back to Top

Back to Leisure Headlines

Copyright © 1998, Wick Communications, Inc.

Internet services provided by NeoSoft.

Best viewed with 3.0 or higher