Gonzaga team visits Boys and Girls Club

MOSES LAKE - Kids attending the Boys and Girls Club's after school program at North Elementary School got a special treat Monday, as they got to hang out with members of the Gonzaga University women's basketball team.

It was a bit of a trek from Spokane to Moses Lake, explained head coach Lisa Fortier, but one the team really wanted to make.

"We knew we didn't have school today and wanted to do something a little different," she said. "A lot of kids from Moses Lake come to our camps so we thought it would be nice to come here."

Her players were able to showcase some of their skills as well as help the kids improve theirs. They also spent some time answering questions and signing autographs before they continued on to practice at the Moses Lake High School.

Boys and Girls Club executive director Brant Mayo stopped by North Elementary while the players were there. And to say the kids were excited about the visit would be an understatement, he said.

"They're having so much fun, it's great," he said.

Mayo said he was glad the Gonzaga team reached out to them.

"They knew they would be in town and wanted to give back to the community," he said. "It's a win for us too because we take any opportunity to expose the kids to positive role models."

Mayo said the players are not only leading healthy lifestyles, but they're on their way to getting a college degree as well.

"What's more positive than that," he said. "It's a good experience for them."