The game-plan is installed.

Classes are finished for the week.

It sounds like a Football Friday on many campuses around the country.

For the Drake Bulldogs that means its time to go their local elementary schools and read to kids.

Continuing a tradition developed under head coach Chris Creighton, Drake's football student-athletes spend part of their Friday each week during the football season visiting five Des Moines elementary schools to promote good reading habits.

Today fifth-year senior linebacker Jeff Grovak (Mt. Prospect, Ill.), senior tackle Evan Lawrence (Moline, Ill.) and junior wide receiver Joey Orlando (Park Ridge, Ill.) visited Hubbell Elementary, just a stone's throw from the Drake campus.

Each spent time one-on-one with students, taking turns reading and being read to. Teachers say each is effective and provides encouragement for the students as they hone their reading skills and develop their love for reading.

Some of the book titles enjoyed today included "More Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark," and "Ripley's Believe it or Not--Special Edition 2009."

Thanks to the folks at Hubbell Elementary School for accommodating us on today's visit!