The First Tee of Mid-Michigan recently teamed up with the MSU Athletics Department to allow disadvantaged and underserved Lansing area children to get up close and personal with MSU student-athletes, said John Greenslit, executive director of the First Tee organization.

“We had the chance to do this last year with the women’s basketball team and we wanted to do it again this year,” Greenslit said.

“I’m just thrilled because these kids idolize the student-athletes.”

The First Tee of Mid-Michigan, which began about four years ago, is a chapter of a larger national program that works with children ages 7-17 to teach core values, such as honesty and integrity, and how those qualities fit into the game of golf, Greenslit said.

“Being honest is part of golf and it ought to be part of life, too,” he said.

Joe Rood, assistant director of sales and marketing for the Athletics Department, said the partnership with First Tee has been a great success so far.

“We saw a great opportunity to keep interest going and get the kids (from First Tee) involved too,” Rood said.
“We moved it to the Breslin Center and we’re trying to get a big crowd behind (the volleyball team).”

With people coming in for the holiday, Rood said it’s a great thing for families to attend.

Greenslit said the organization, through a unique cooperation with the Athletics Department, has been able to have student-athletes come to the First Tee practices to work with the children one-on-one.

“I’ve been very impressed with the student-athletes because they’ve really gotten involved with the kids,” Greenslit said.

“These youngsters need a role model, need a mentor and it’s a community service benefit that I think makes a big impact.”

MSU volleyball associate head coach Russ Carney said he liked any event that would benefit underprivileged children.

“It’s an awesome experience for (the kids) and it’s awesome that the athletes can do it for the kids,” he said.
“I think it’s a great cause because anytime you can help the kids it’s a good thing.”