DES MOINES, IOWA -- More students at Phillips Traditional Elementary School will have the opportunity to learn from Drake University students and athletes, thanks to a $15,000 grant from the Qwest Foundation. The grant to Drake's School of Education will support the University's Grow Bulldogs program at Phillips school.

The nine-week program is designed to help teach urban elementary students lessons in math, reading, writing, social studies and health. The lessons are based on Drake sports concepts such as using jersey numbers to teach addition and subtraction.

For Drake students, serving as an engaged citizen is an integral part of the Drake experience. The idea for the Grow Bulldogs program was introduced to the School of Education in 2006 by Shea Moroni, a student-athlete majoring in education who was looking both for a way to gain additional hands-on classroom experience and a unique opportunity for his fellow football teammates to give back to the community. Drake School of Education students, with faculty guidance and in collaboration with Phillips teachers and administrators, created lessons with elements related to Drake football.  

"Qwest is proud to team up with the Drake Bulldogs to help elementary students get excited about math and other subjects," said Iowa Qwest President Max Phillips. "We look forward to watching the Bulldog program grow and impact learning in Des Moines."

With Qwest's support, the program now has more room for growth. Program leaders hope to include new sports such as basketball and the Drake Relays, and expand the program to include more students. Extra funding also will help Drake students and program teachers with curriculum development, materials and more.

"We truly appreciate the grant from Qwest," said Tom Drake, assistant professor of education and director of student teaching at Drake. "This support will help Phillips students improve academically while better preparing our students for teaching. This gift shows Qwest's commitment to education."

Grow Bulldogs is a partnership between Drake's School of Education, Athletic Department and Phillips school. Drake athletes and education students visit first- and fifth-grade students every Friday.

Program participants gathered today to celebrate the culmination of the fall session. Phillips students interacted with Spike, Drake's mascot, and played catch with Drake football players, who signed autographs for the students. Chris Creighton, Drake's head football coach, also attended the celebration and congratulated Phillips students.

"We are hoping that a lot of you will some day be students at Drake University," Creighton said.

In addition, Michael Sadler, director of policy and law at Qwest, represented Qwest Foundation at today's celebration.

The program participants and Phillips and Drake teachers thanked Sadler and Qwest for a gift that will help the program continue next year. Basketball will be the focus of the spring program, which will start in late January, 2009.