Local fifth-graders see a pair of Jaguar wins at Education Day games

Almost 4,000 students from Richmond and Columbia counties filled Christenberry Fieldhouse in December to watch the Augusta University men’s basketball team play in their annual Education Day games.

On Dec. 2, the Jags rallied from a nine-point halftime deficit to beat Paine College, 73-57, in the ninth annual Richmond County contest.

Augusta outscored the Lions by 25 points in the second half, holding them to 27.3% from the field and 0-for-8 from beyond the arc in the period. The Jaguars finished 23-for-52 from the field, including six 3-pointers. They converted 21-of-29 at the free-throw line and turned 16 Paine turnovers into 23 points.

“We’re thankful to have this opportunity to be able to bring all of our fifth graders here so we can celebrate Augusta University, Paine College and Education Day,” said Malinda Cobb, PhD, Superintendent of Schools for Richmond County. “It’s a great opportunity for many of our students. This has become such a tradition that our fifth graders really look forward to making sure that they have this field trip, this capstone experience, before they leave elementary and head to middle school.”

On Dec. 18, AU hosted Reinhardt University for Columbia County’s third annual Education Day game. The Jaguars shot 62% in the second half and cruised to a 97-62 victory.

Tobias Prall, Elias Palsson and Charlie McBeath led 12 Jags in scoring with 23, 14 and 10 points, respectively. As a team, AU went 37-for-69 from the field including 12 3-pointers. McBeath also had 10 of the team’s 40 rebounds. AU also had 25 points off turnovers while the bench outscored Reinhardt 40-28.

Chris Hughes, director of athletics and student activities for the Columbia County School District, said it’s an incredible experience watching the students’ faces light up when they walk through the door while also witnessing the partnership between the county and AU flourish.

“A lot of them haven’t experienced this before, and just to see them when they come in and they’re all together and enjoying this atmosphere on this college campus, it’s rewarding to see them,” Hughes said. “Augusta University is a huge partner with us in the Columbia County School District, not only academically with our teaching as a pathway program, but also in events like this. It’s important for our kids to get to experience this. We think a lot of the partnership we have with AU, and it’s events like this that make it grow.”

The Education Day games provide a unique opportunity for local students to experience collegiate basketball while promoting education and community engagement. Men’s basketball coach Dip Metress and former athletic director Clint Bryant first presented the idea to Richmond County and later Columbia County to host these games. Years later, it’s a highlight for the fifth-graders.

“Today was the loudest I’ve ever heard it in there,” Metress said after the Dec. 18 game. “This is a wonderful and enjoyable event. Our guys love it, and I love it as a coach as well. My niece teaches at a school, and they look forward to it. This wouldn’t happen without the athletic directors in the schools being behind this and without Columbia County bringing their buses to bring their kids, this just doesn’t happen otherwise.”