RUSTON - The Louisiana Tech men's basketball team took a break from fall practice on Wednesday afternoon to read and visit with kids at Ruston Elementary as part of a program called Dogs with a Cause.

Head coach Eric Konkol and the Bulldog players joined up with the LA Tech organization Teacher Educators and Mentors (TEAM) to begin a three-part series in reaching out to the local elementary schools.

"I think anytime there is an opportunity to take our team out into the community and meet the people that support us so much, it is a very positive thing," Konkol said. "The opportunity for our players to visit with young people, be role models for them, is a great benefit for us and for the young people in our community."

The program started at approximately 2 p.m. with Konkol and each player surprising a different class with a book reading and then an open discussion on the book. The students also had time to ask questions that ranged from 'Where are you from?' to 'How did you get so tall?'

The day ended with the team and the educators from the University lining up outside for a high-five line to greet the students as they got on the bus.