MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Coaching for Literacy (CFL), head coach Eric Konkol and Louisiana Tech men's basketball are teaming up for the third straight year in the nationwide Fight for Literacy.

Coaching for Literacy works with sports teams nationwide to generate awareness about the importance of literacy and its impact on social issues such as employment, crime, poverty and the economy.

The Bulldogs will host a Coaching for Literacy Awareness Game on Feb. 18 when the FIU Panthers visit the Thomas Assembly Center. Tip-off is scheduled for Saturday evening at 6 p.m. CT.

To promote literacy efforts in Ruston and nationwide, the coaching staff will wear Coaching for Literacy's green literacy awareness apparel.

IMPORTANCE OF LITERACY

• 64% of fourth graders are reading below the proficient level. (National Assessment of Educational Progress) • Literacy can help reduce the rate of crime in all of our communities. 85% of juveniles who interface with the juvenile court system cannot read. (US Department of Justice) • Three out of four people on welfare cannot read. (Literacy Project Foundation)

JOIN THE BULLDOGS IN THE FIGHT FOR LITERACY

LA Tech Athletics welcome all fans to join the effort by following Coaching for Literacy on Twitter @coachingforlit and using the hashtag #Bulldogs4Literacy.

"Louisiana Tech men's basketball is proud to continue working with Coaching for Literacy's team in the crucial effort to promote literacy work in our community," said coach Konkol. "We look forward to providing direct support to the literacy initiatives of The Boys and Girls Club of North Central Louisiana through the Assistant Coach Program."

To learn more about how you can join the Bulldogs in the Fight for Literacy in your community, visit www.coachingforliteracy.org. To view CFL's schedule this season, visit www.coachingforliteracy.org/schedule.

LAST YEAR'S SUCCESS

Thanks to the support of LA Tech, Coach Konkol and generous CFL donors last season, the Boys and Girls Clubs of North Central Louisiana purchased supplies for the reading specialist's after-school reading program, benefiting 165 students.

"Coaching for Literacy and LA Tech have made it possible to serve even more children in our community," said Janet Wilson, director of resource development of the Boys and Girls Clubs. "We want to encourage reading at an early age and we are very thankful for partners in this important effort." ABOUT COACHING FOR LITERACY

Thanks to the support of sports teams and generous donors, Coaching for Literacy has funded over 50 literacy projects across 20 communities in 11 states. To date 7,610 children have received direct literacy support because of the program.

"Coaching for Literacy is thankful for dedicated partners like the Bulldogs and Coach Konkol," said Ryan Viner, executive director of Coaching for Literacy. "The Boys and Girls Clubs has greatly benefited from their involvement over the past few years and we hope to continue to impact the Ruston community."