Cougars Give A Helping Hand
May 17, 2004
A simple handshake, pat on the back or even a kind word is all it takes sometimes to make a difference in someone's life. Haven't we all been there? That place where it appears the world is falling down around you. You just can't seem to find a way out, no matter how hard you try.
Then, someone comes along and gives you an encouraging word or asks, "Is there anything I can do to help?" It may not seem like that much at the time, but the fact someone cared enough to ask gives you the strength to go that one extra step.
We all can help each other. One way University of Houston student-athletes are making a difference in the Greater Houston community is by serving as mentors for a program know as "Little Coogs".
"Little Coogs" was started last fall by a former UH football player, Jaron Barganier. Barganier serves as president for a community outreach organization based in Katy, known as "All-N-One". Barganier and James Hong, a current Cougar football player, formed "All-N-One" three years ago when they began visiting elementary schools in the Katy area.
"We primarily started in Katy because that is where I am from and attended high school," Barganier said. "Now, we also visit elementary schools in Houston, Cy Fair and Pasadena."
In addition to visiting the elementary schools, "All-N-One" operates motivational summer day camps that feature professional and collegiate student-athletes from all over the country, speaking and playing games with the kids.
"The primary mission of "All-N-One" is to have athletes mentor and motivate elementary school children," Barganier said. "Our message to the kids is to stay in school, stay off drugs, be a good citizen and chase your dreams."
Last fall, Barganier and "All-N-One" teamed up with University of Houston football players to form "Little Coogs".
The program entailed having elementary school children attend UH football games and meet the football team afterwards.
"We had sponsors who purchased tickets for the kids to sit as a group in the end zone and watch the game," Barganier said. "The kids get to tailgate before the game at the tailgating pavilion donated by John Prestwood, who is the alumni director of the Little Coogs program.
"We give them Little Coog T-shirts to wear. After the game, they can meet the players and get autographs. This year, we hope to expand to include all of our teams."
After last football season, Barganier took UH student-athletes to visit elementary schools.
"In the past, UH student-athletes have visited elementary schools to read to them, but they never became leaders to the kids," Barganier said. "Now, not only are they reading to the kids, the student-athletes are serving as leaders. They get to meet with the kids and tell them the importance of staying in school.
"You wouldn't believe the look on our student-athletes' faces when they have a group of 500 kids asking for their autograph. They are just as shocked as the children who are meeting them."
Barganier points out that college student-athletes don't realize what a great role model they can be for elementary school children. In addition, UH student-athletes serve as mentors to children in the DePelchin Orphanage and are scheduled to speak with local Boy Scouts troops later this spring. Little Coogs also has invited different area elementary schools to help celebrate Children's Day at an UH baseball game in May.
"In their eyes, college athletes are just like professional athletes," Barganier said. "They don't know any difference. They just see them playing in a game and hope to be just like them someday.
"I hope the athletes realize a simple kind word, a handshake or pat on the back can help someone overcome their problems. They can make a big difference by just reaching out and becoming a leader to these children. There aren't enough leaders in today's society, and I am hoping we can develop leaders through our program."
For more information on "Little Coogs" or "All-N-One", contact Barganier at 713-743-9492 or 832-212-5851, or you can visit the All-N-One website at www.allnone.org.