The students get so excited when they come out and see the college kids out there.”

Monica Espinosa | Arizona Charter Academy lead duty staff coordinator

Thanks to a collaboration between Ottawa University Arizona and Arizona Charter Academy, the students at the Surprise charter school are learning the fundamentals of basketball, football and soccer.

As Melissa Montenegro, director of talent and PR for Arizona Charter Academy noted, William Hesse from OUAZ contacted her to inquire about having students from the sports leadership program come to ACA on a regular basis to work with students and teach them about sports.

“We currently have a class of sports leadership from OUAZ that is using our school as their school project,” Montenegro said, adding that the college students come to the ACA playground twice a week from about 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., which coincides perfectly with ACA’s lunch recess times.

“When the bell rings at the end of recess the kids don’t want to go in because they are having so much fun. The college students also get to go to a few PE classes since they meet during those times.”

In addition to learning the basics of sports from the OUAZ students — most of whom are college athletes — Montenegro said the collaboration has been beneficial in many other ways.

“Our students treat the college students like celebrities and ask for their autographs,” Montenegro said, adding that now that the younger students all know the basic fundamentals of soccer, football and basketball, they now use the equipment correctly, and play better together. “They think the college kids are ‘so cool’ and want to be like them when they grow up. So being able to have those positive role models has been very impactful.

“Students are going home telling their parents they got to play a real soccer game with their friends during recess. For our middle school students, many of them are very athletic and it’s so much fun to see them play 3-on-3 games with the college students and really put their skills to the test.”

Since the OUAZ students have been coming to ACA, the school’s recess duty staff has also noticed a drop in behavior issues — mainly because the students are so busy playing the various sports with the college students.

“This has been such a great experience,” said Monica Espinosa, ACA’s lead duty staff coordinator. “The students get so excited when they come out and see the college kids out there.

“It has been so beneficial in helping the students learn rules to games as well as good sportsmanship. I am thankful I have been able to be a part of this.”

For kids who would rather spend their recess doing something other than playing sports, Montenegro said the OUAZ students brought in beads to make bracelets with the students.

“It’s truly been the best ‘feel good’ experience for all involved and we look forward to many more recesses in the future,” she said.

Hesse said he and everyone involved in the sports leadership program at OUAZ are proud to celebrate the “transformative power of partnership” and are thrilled with the profound impact the program has had on the students at ACA.

“Together, we’ve fostered a healthier learning culture and inspired engagement amongst all students” he said.

“As positive role models, our amazing Ottawa Student Leaders created a path of healthy success inside and outside the classroom for ACA students, turning recess into a harmonious experience of healthy play, devoid of disruptions and created healthy social and emotional interactions.”