MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Coaching for Literacy, head coach Jesse Fleming and the St. Bonaventure Bonnies women’s basketball team have joined together for the first time in the nationwide Fight for Literacy.

According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, 64 percent of fourth-graders in America are not reading at or above the proficient level. Coaching for Literacy works with sports teams nationwide to generate awareness about the importance of literacy and its impact on social issues such as employment, crime, poverty and the economy.

St. Bonaventure women’s basketball will host a Coaching for Literacy Awareness Game on Wednesday, Dec. 28 when the Bonnies take on Atlantic 10 rivals Rhode Island. The coaching staff will wear Coaching for Literacy’s green apparel to promote awareness about the Fight for Literacy. St. Bonaventure Athletics welcomes all fans to join the effort and raise awareness by following Coaching for Literacy on twitter @coachingforlit and using the hashtag #Bonnies4Literacy in social media posts.

“We are thrilled to join this worthwhile cause,” Fleming said. “Literacy impacts each one of us even if we are not aware of it. We are thankful for the investment Coaching for Literacy is making to support children nationwide.”

Thanks to the support of sports teams and generous donors over the past three seasons, Coaching for Literacy has funded over 50 literacy projects across 20 communities in 11 states, benefitting over 7,600 kids.

“We are excited to add St. Bonaventure to the Coaching for Literacy team,” said Ryan Viner, executive director of Coaching for Literacy. “We hope our partnership will bring both attention and financial support to literacy efforts in the Allegany and Olean community.”

To learn how you can join the Fight for Literacy in your community, visit www.coachingforliteracy.org.