Martin Methodist College (Tenn.) 3rd Annual RedHawk Walk a Huge Success

Over 250 student-athletes participated in community event

Pulaski, Tenn. - Still continuing a new tradition from two years ago, some of the oldest students in the county joined together with some of the youngest in a moment of unity and spirit displayed in the heart of the county.

Just like two years ago, students left their seats in the Johnson Center and made their way across the campus green to gather at the gazebo to walk as a collective group to meet with students of the Growing Tree Nursery School.  More than 250 Martin Methodist student-athletes gathered at the Grissom Gazebo Tuesday morning, September 23rd, at 9:15 in their respective sport’s T-shirt to line up, grab a balloon and flood the intersection of Fourth Street. It was a sight to see with all the student-athletes wearing red and white, and holding red and white balloons turning the corner of 4th street to get onto Jefferson Street. You could see all the nursery school students jumping up and down and screaming “here comes Rowdy, the big red bird”.

As the parade reached its starting point at Pulaski First United Methodist Church, the skies were clear blue and the students were anxiously awaiting their fellow participants to start the 3rd Annual RedHawk Walk.

”It’s the giant red chicken!” yelled one Growing Tree student as he spotted MMC mascot Rowdy at the front of the parade.

RedHawk athletes began two-by-two going up to a child and asking to tie a balloon on his or her wrist.

Once each nursery student was partnered with a pair of RedHawks, the RedHawk Walk was underway with Rowdy and the cheerleaders leading the way down Jefferson Street, around the Giles County Courthouse and around the MMC campus while being greeted by onlookers who stopped to join the crowd.

“Our annual RedHawk Walk is one of my favorite MMC annual events,” said MMC Athletics Director Jeff Bain. When you have a combo package of the smiling and excited four and five year olds as they interact with our MMC student-athletes . . . and then seeing the physical presence of our 288 student-athletes filling the entire First United Methodist Church statuary. That is a great day!  It makes you very proud to be part of the MMC athletic family!”

The kids from The Growing Tree were seen laughing with their new friends from Martin Methodist, even some winning piggy back rides and riding on their shoulders through the parade. As a number of parents were in attendance to watch their child interact with Rowdy and the RedHawks.

”It was another success once again this year and all the kids had a great time and were just waiting with anticipation to see Rowdy and the RedHawks,” said Terri Adams, Director of the Growing Tree Nursery School.

“The RedHawk Walk is one of the most rewarding activities that we do all year,” stated Senior Women’s Administrator Coach Royce Hughes. "To have all the children of the Growing Tree and the MMC athletes come together as one group is so uplifting for everyone involved. The children love the big red bird and a fun time is had by all."

The idea for the event grew from a conversation two years ago between Athletic Marketing Director Brynn Wade and Bain looking for a way to symbolize the launching of Martin Methodist’s Champions of Character initiative, a program within the MMC Athletic Department designed to teach and monitor five core character values (respect, responsibility, integrity, sportsmanship, and servant leadership) to RedHawk student-athletes, staff and fans.

“The kids had a wonderful time, especially with Rowdy, but it’s even better when you see the kids and the athletes of MMC laughing and playing together and even beginning to learn our core values of character,” said Wade.

At the conclusion of the parade the nursery students gathered on the front steps of Pulaski First United Methodist Church (FUMC) to have their photo taken with Rowdy and release their balloons as they made a wish.

After the photo, everyone met in the sanctuary of the building for a brief discussion given by Bain, and President of MMC, Dr. Ted Brown,  with a message directed to the Growing Tree students on the importance of “sharing” and the importance of “playing fair” and how it relates to the MMC teammates and athletic sportsmanship. Reverend Wayne Davis of FUMC gave a brief message directed more to the MMC students and the children’s parents on the importance of reaching out to others in our community and spending our personal time with others.

At the end of the hour, Rowdy and the students said good-bye to their new friends with high fives and hugs, and even the occasional RedHawk bite from Rowdy with a promise to be back next year.

Story submitted by Michael Ann Riley, Martin Methodist College, Director of Athletic Communication, 931-363-9883

About the NAIA
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, is the governing body for athletics programs at its nearly 300 colleges and universities throughout the United States and Canada. The long-held mission of the NAIA is to promote the education and development of well-rounded students and productive citizens through intercollegiate athletics. The Association offers equitable access and opportunities for participation in its 23 national championship events held annually throughout the country.

Today, the NAIA strengthens its commitment to student-athletes and strives to enrich their college experience by supporting academic achievement and character development. NAIA Champions of Character is the association’s innovative flagship program designed to instill character values in student-athletes, coaches and youth in the communities it serves. To learn more visit www.NAIA.org.