Thunder Reading Challenge Tips Off

Oklahoma City, Monday, Sept. 8, 2014 – On International Literacy Day, the Oklahoma City Thunder invites Oklahoma classrooms to sign up for the 2014-15 Thunder Reading Challenge, presented by American Fidelity Assurance.

All Oklahoma teachers for kindergarten through third-grade students are encouraged to sign up for the program, which seeks to inspire young students to develop good reading habits and a love of reading.

Students track their time spent reading throughout the school year, and the Thunder recognizes the top monthly reader in each classroom with a Thunder-themed prize and certificate. At the end of the school year, the Thunder awards the top readers for each grade level with a Thunder-autographed item and plaque. The top overall winner also receives a Rumble assembly for the school.

“For so many students, success both in the classroom and beyond hinges upon their ability to read,” said Dan Mahoney, vice president of Community Relations for the Thunder. “The Reading Challenge gives us an opportunity to take some of the excitement our young fans have for the Thunder and channel it into a passion for reading.

“We’re excited to partner with Oklahoma teachers for the sixth year of this program, and we’re looking forward to seeing the impact this challenge will have on their students.”

During the 2013-14 school year, nearly 20,000 Oklahoma students logged more than 200,000 hours of reading as part of the challenge – the equivalent of more than 9,000 days of reading.

The Reading Challenge has been a part of the Thunder Read to Achieve initiative since the 2009-10 school year. Teachers interested in taking part in the Reading Challenge can find a sign-up form on the team’s website, THUNDER.NBA.COM. Registration closes on Tuesday, Sept. 30.

ABOUT THE THUNDER READING CHALLENGE: The Thunder Reading Challenge is part of the Thunder Read to Achieve initiative, presented by American Fidelity Assurance Company. The program, which is open to kindergarten through third-grade classrooms, challenges young readers to develop good reading habits and a love of reading. Students track their minutes throughout the school year, and the Thunder honors top classroom readers every month and top overall winners at the end of the year.