Sept. 1, 2009
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - The Texas A&M baseball team held its fourth annual Paint-a-Thon this past weekend at the home of Ms. Mary Weir in College Station.
The Aggies spent the morning painting the exterior of the house, clearing brush and installing a new front garden and stone walkway.
"We always look forward to the Paint-a-Thon as the start of the season," fifth-year head coach Rob Childress said. "It is a great way to get to know your teammates and the guys you'll go to battle with all year long, but more importantly it's a wonderful way for us to in some small way give back to the Bryan/College Station community--one that supports us so well year in and year out."
Residences that need assistance are found by contacting churches and local organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, The Salvation Army and Elder Aid. The team's first event was held in 2006 at the College Station home of Mr. Al Bradley. In 2007, the Paint-a-Thon took place at the Bryan residence of Mr. James Nichols, while last year's outing was at the Bryan home of Ms. Dorothy Lockett.
"This has become another great Aggie Baseball tradition, one we look forward to each year," Childress said. "It was the first time this group has been together as a team, and they were out there working hard and with each other to make a difference. In order to reach our goal of being the last team standing in Omaha, we have to work hard, and this was a great way to teach the message of hard work."
The Aggies return 20 letterwinners from a 2009 squad that advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the third straight season.
Fall workouts are scheduled to begin on September 21. The Aggies will open the 2010 season on Friday, Feb. 19 at Olsen Field against Seton Hall.