For Immediate Release: Nicolette Geisler, Director
December 3, 2010 785.296.8447, ngeisler@ksde.org
Kansas Announced Winner in Snyder & Osborne’s Coaches’ Mentoring Challenge
Over 5,000 new mentors sign up to make a difference in the lives of young people in Kansas and Nebraska!
TOPEKA, KS –December 3, 2010– Kansas’ mentoring efforts were celebrated this past Saturday as the state was announced the winner of the third annual 2010 Coaches’ Mentoring Challenge.
The Challenge, issued in July of this year between Coaches Bill Snyder (Kansas State University) Turner Gill (University of Kansas) and Tom Osborne (former coach of University of Nebraska), is a friendly wager to see which state, Kansas or Nebraska, can recruit the most new mentors during the college football season. Kansas won the challenge recruiting 4,169 new mentors to Nebraska’s 1,290.
Studies show that children with mentors in their lives are more likely to stay in school and graduate and are less likely to engage in risky behavior. “I want to thank the thousands of Kansans that have joined me in this cause and have pledged to spend just a few hours each month to help our young people reach their full potential,” Snyder, co-chair of Kansas Mentors, said.
This marks the third year of the Coaches’ Mentoring Challenge. While Kansas has been the reigning champion for the past three years, recruiting over 13,000 new mentors in all, it is the mentoring programs and the mentors that should be applauded.
“Mentoring really can change lives – for both the young person and the mentor,” said Coach Gill. “While these recruitment efforts should be celebrated, we need to remember there are still thousands of young people throughout Kansas that are in need of a mentor.”
“Adults other than parents can play powerful roles in young people’s lives,” Snyder said. “It is important that Kansans know: you don’t have to change your life to make a difference in the life of a young person. Now more than ever, our youth need a caring adult mentor to help prepare and guide them toward a hopeful future.”
Kansas Mentors, Kansas’ coordinator of the Challenge, is partnered with more than 175 mentoring programs throughout the state. To view a list of programs or to sign up to mentor, visit the Kansas Mentors website at www.kansasmentors.org or call 785-296-8447.
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