Lafayette student-athletes cheered on fifth and sixth graders from Easton Area School District during School Day Game 2025. | Photos by Adam Atkinson
By: Kelly Huth
Luis Minier was all smiles as he and his classmates from Paxinosa Elementary challenged members of the Lafayette men’s lacrosse team in a game of sharks and minnows at Kirby Sports Center.
The fifth grader was one of 1,100 Easton Area School District students who were welcomed to Lafayette Jan. 15 during the fifth annual School Day Game presented by Wells Fargo. Easton students learned from Lafayette student-athletes what it’s like competing at the collegiate level, as well as the importance of being a leader. Then they cheered on the women’s basketball team in its matchup against Army.
“I’m looking forward to the basketball game,” Minier said, noting it was the first collegiate game he’d been to. “It’s pretty cool because I’ve never seen any real basketball players in my life!”
Sarah Winkel, a fifth grader at Forks Elementary, couldn’t wait for the game. “I love basketball, and I’m hoping to learn some new moves!”
Her Forks Elementary classmates Becca Terlinden and Maria Plata were excited just to spend the day at Lafayette.
Making a connection
Sherryta Freeman, director of athletics, said first and foremost what makes School Day Game so special is the interaction with Easton students. “It’s so important for these young children to have an opportunity to interact with our student-athletes and visit our campus. This gives them motivation and something to aspire to.”
Freeman says Lafayette students benefit too. “It gets so loud in our arena for School Day Game, and our athletes don’t always get to play in front of a packed house. That’s really special for them.”
School Day Game is a partnership between the College, Landis Center for Community Engagement, the school district, and Wells Fargo.
William Della Vecchia, district manager, Wells Fargo, said the grant provided for the event ensures every student leaves with a drawstring bag containing a book and financial literacy materials. Financial literacy is one of four key priority areas for Wells Fargo, and one they focus on when they return to Lafayette later in the year to talk with students ahead of graduation.
Ryan Nathan ʼ28, a member of the men’s lacrosse team, had fun working with the kids during the pregame activities and telling them about Lafayette. “I have two younger brothers at home, and I strive to be a role model whenever I can.”
Lafayette’s connection with its community has been important for Nathan, a Mount Kisco, N.Y., native, as he adjusts to his first year on campus.
“I love it here—the community’s great, and so are my teammates, coaches, and professors. The people really make the place,” Nathan said.
Exploring Lafayette
For Anaya Hamilton, a fifth grader at Shawnee Elementary, School Day Game wasn’t her first visit to Lafayette. Last fall she got a chance to meet the women’s soccer team and walk out on the field with them before a game with her Forks Township soccer team. She was excited to return and was “looking forward to watching the basketball game.”
During the game Lafayette highlighted Easton grads who are now Lafayette coaches and athletes. Easton students cheered on the Leopards, waved to Roary, Lafayette’s mascot, participated in activities like a T-shirt toss and musical chairs, and sang along with the music during breaks in play.
Sixth grader Aliviah West said she likes coming to basketball games at Lafayette because “There’s a lot of energy, and it’s really fun to watch.”
Jennifer Hilton, director of teaching and learning at Easton Area School District, said this event brings together all seven of Easton’s elementary schools—which they rarely have the opportunity to do.
“The partnership our schools have with Lafayette is invaluable,” Hilton said. “Lafayette students do research with our schools, they participate in community service, and it’s a natural partnership—this is a chance to celebrate that.”
Hilton says School Day Game offers a great opportunity for students to experience a higher education setting and meet student-athletes who become role models.
“We want to thank Lafayette and Wells Fargo for sponsoring this event, and we hope to continue this tradition.”
