Nice article: Derrick Wells, Cedric Thompson Turn To Tennis To Inspire Others

[BleedGopher]

Good read:

They've never played tennis in their lives, but University of Minnesota football standouts Cedric Thompson and Derrick Wells have lately been spending a lot of time on the tennis court. Every Sunday afternoon, in fact.

"We caught onto it pretty quick," said Thompson. "Some of the stuff is pretty tough, but the basics aren't too hard to master."

Not hard to believe, for these two athletic Gophers. They're rising stars at the U--no mean feat in a Division I program that rosters some 120 players. Football is a "serious sport" at the U, and one that necessitates a year-round commitment despite a three-month season. There are a lot of 6 a.m. practices involved.

But every Sunday afternoon, Wells and Thompson have been setting aside football and picking up racquets for a few hours of volunteer work at Fred Wells Tennis & Education Center (FWTEC) on Fort Snelling.

Since February, the pair has been helping with Wells Academy, a fledgling youth outreach program that brings low-income high school students to FWTEC for tennis instruction and academic help. It's the site they picked for the service-learning component of a shared `Multicultural Perspectives in Sociology' class--enticed, in part, by the program's twin emphases on sports and academics, which reminded them of their own high school experiences.

http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/050213aaa.html

Go Gophers!!

 

[gopherdudepart2]

Cool to see Wells and Thompson helping out.

Good read:

They've never played tennis in their lives, but University of Minnesota football standouts Cedric Thompson and Derrick Wells have lately been spending a lot of time on the tennis court. Every Sunday afternoon, in fact.

"We caught onto it pretty quick," said Thompson. "Some of the stuff is pretty tough, but the basics aren't too hard to master."

Not hard to believe, for these two athletic Gophers. They're rising stars at the U--no mean feat in a Division I program that rosters some 120 players. Football is a "serious sport" at the U, and one that necessitates a year-round commitment despite a three-month season. There are a lot of 6 a.m. practices involved.

But every Sunday afternoon, Wells and Thompson have been setting aside football and picking up racquets for a few hours of volunteer work at Fred Wells Tennis & Education Center (FWTEC) on Fort Snelling.

Since February, the pair has been helping with Wells Academy, a fledgling youth outreach program that brings low-income high school students to FWTEC for tennis instruction and academic help. It's the site they picked for the service-learning component of a shared `Multicultural Perspectives in Sociology' class--enticed, in part, by the program's twin emphases on sports and academics, which reminded them of their own high school experi

 

[gopherdudepart2]

I agree this is nice to see.

No doubt Wels and Thompson must be enjoying this as much as th kids in the program.
I know Wells and Thompson are doing this for a class and all but you can tell they enjoy helping out and mentoring
these kids in this Tennis program just from the read. Good to see, Hats of to thee Mr. Wells and Mr. Thompson
you are what all Gophers players should strive to be. Ski-U-Mah and Kudos.

 

[BleedGopher]

STrib: Gophers football players giving back in academics

“I was the first person in my family to graduate high school and go to college, so I never had anybody to push me,” Thompson said. “So that’s the coolest part for me. I’m actually giving back what I’ve learned by myself to these kids.”

Added Wells: “Just getting to know the kids and seeing where they come from and how they want to better themselves — it really touches us to help more kids in the community.”

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/207806901.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Go Gophers!!