Hillcrest Elementary wins $10,000 KU Athletics award

By Theresa Freed Apr 26, 2010

Nick Krug

Kansas women’s head basketball coach Bonnie Henrickson and standout Danielle McCray laugh as they and Baby Jay try to lift the spirits of an upset kindergartner wanting to ask a question during a school assembly Monday at Hillcrest School. Henrickson and the women’s basketball team spoke to the students, took questions and thanked them for their support during the assembly, in which the school was recognized as the winner of the Schools for Success Attendance Challenge.

Students at Hillcrest Elementary School celebrated Monday when they learned their school won a district-wide competition.

Hillcrest had the highest attendance at KU women’s basketball games last season.

“We’re just so appreciative of them coming to cheer for us. And their passion and enthusiasm for the game is contagious,” said Bonnie Henrickson, KU women’s basketball coach.

During the basketball season, each kindergarten through sixth grade student received a school ID access card. The card recorded attendance and provided the free admittance to the game.

Shortly before the end of the school day Monday, students were ushered into the Hillcrest gymnasium for an assembly where they were recognized for their victory over Lawrence’s 14 other elementary schools. KU received a grant from the NCAA to help increase attendance at the women’s games.

The $10,000 grant will be given to Hillcrest Elementary for winning the Schools for Success Attendance Challenge Program. It’s unsure how the money will be used.

Hillcrest Principal Tammy Becker said her school had 40 to 90 students attend games.

The contest was fun for students, staff and the athletes. Each member of the team was assigned a school to represent and freshman Monica Engelman was Hillcrest’s adopted player.

“No matter how I played,” she said, “they were always being supportive.”