LAKE CHARLES - McNeese Athletics, in a partnership with the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney's Office and Calcasieu Parish School Board, has announced a new program named "Rowdy For Success" that will provide extra support to encourage student success in the classroom and at home. 
 
The program will work to provide positive behaviors by using student-athletes and coaches to help motivate elementary students for success. 
 
"I'm honored to have McNeese Athletics partner with the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney's Office and the Calcasieu Parish School Board for this program," said McNeese Director of Athletics Heath Schroyer. "It's what can we do for a lot of the kids that are on a path that can go one way or the other. We want to be a part of helping this community, embracing these kids and embracing this community. It's an honor to be a part of this and I think it can be really beneficial for a lot of kids."
 
The CPDAO and CPSB already partner for many programs to provide to area school kids.
 
"We're taking it to the next level by partnering with McNeese Athletics," said Calcasieu Parish District Attorney Stephen Dwight. "We really appreciate McNeese for stepping up. When we reached out to them, their immediate answer was yes.
 
"We're taking these children that needs mentorship and needs some help and needs that incentive to do that in school. McNeese is partnering with us to try to give back to those students and be a role model in our community."
 
McNeese coaches and players will visit various schools throughout the year to visit and bond with elementary school kids. The kids will also get an opportunity to attend practices, games, visit the facilities, etc., something that they may not have had a chance to do before.
 
"I like the creativity with the 'Rowdy For Success' by incorporating the student-athlete experience into our classrooms. That's always a positive," said Dr. Shannon LaFargue, Calcasieu Parish School Superintendent. "If those student-athletes can come in and be mentors to our kids, be role models, that will go a long way. It can be something as simple as reading to our kids during literacy events and participating in activities.
 
"It really doesn't take much to change the trajectory or pathway for a student. If we put the appropriate interventions in place, we hope to change those trajectories more towards the positive outcomes instead of negative outcomes.
 
The first-year program will focus mostly on fifth-grade level student as they get ready to embark on middle school the following year.  
 
The Rowdy for Success program will include:  

• 30-minute Rallies held at various elementary schools throughout the school year 
• Athletes, coaches, and other influential participants representing McNeese and CPDAO 
• Motivational speakers with common backgrounds of students  
• McNeese giveaways, including lots of game tickets!!  

 
The first rallies will be Thursday, September 15 from 9:30-10:00am. The rallies will take place at the following schools:  
                        Brentwood Elementary 
                        College Oaks Elementary 
                        Combre-Fondel Elementary  
                        Ralph Wilson Elementary 
                        T.H. Watkins Elementary