Kane County Cougars reading club starts

Submitted by Kane County Cougars

Chicago area schools are encouraged to take part in Ozzie’s Reading Club, the Kane County Cougars’ reading incentive program. Named after Cougars mascot Ozzie T. Cougar, Ozzie’s Reading Club included nearly 145,000 students from 427 schools who improved their reading skills through the Cougars’ program last season.

The 2012 season will be the 18th year for Ozzie’s Reading Club and interested teachers can learn more by contacting Amy Mason, Ozzie’s Reading Club coordinator, at (630) 232-8811 or amason@kanecountycougars.com.

Ozzie’s Reading Club allows teachers and reading specialists to set goals for students at different grade levels. Students receive rewards for reading a certain number of books or pages, with prizes awarded as they read their way to first base, second base, third base and finally, to home plate.

Students hitting a home run receive a ticket to an April or May Cougars game designated by their school, along with a food voucher and free T-shirt. Graduates are also recognized in a pregame parade on the field and are admitted free to any Sunday-Thursday Cougars games during from June through September.

One of the features of Ozzie’s Reading Club is its availability to readers of varying reading levels, including students up through eighth grade.

“To have a program which appeals to 14-year-olds as much as 6-year-olds is a great thing,” said Amy Mason, Ozzie’s Reading Club coordinator. “Home run hitters of all ages are so excited when they see Ozzie as they enter the stadium. It’s wonderful to see how proud they are of their reading accomplishments.”

The Ozzie’s Reading Club program has received national recognition and praise from the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues and at the annual Baseball & Sports Marketing convention.