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The Bucs Stop Here

Photo by KELVIN MA/staff

Bucs wide receiver Ike Hilliard plays with the children of Sulpher Springs Elementary after delivering a shipment of athletic equipment on Oct. 9, 2007. The Bucs and United Way teamed up to promote physical education.

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By JANIS D. FROELICH, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 13, 2007

Updated: 10/11/2007 04:56 pm

Additional Photos

SULPHUR SPRINGS - Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Ike Hilliard parked near a canopy of oak trees surrounding Sulphur Springs Elementary and strode into the school through a side door.

His step full of bounce, Hilliard was on hand for the Hometown Huddle. But No. 19 didn't know energy until he met 703 children celebrating a special Bucs Day, an opportunity for them to wear pewter and red and scream some cheers.

'I'm a homebody,' Hilliard said. 'I don't get out enough in the community. So this should be good.'

And good it was for the students, who waved construction paper red flags, their eyes shielded from the sun by art class-made Bucs visors.

Sulphur Springs was selected for attention by the United Way and the National Football League, which team up one Tuesday a year to contribute to a school or other community destination in pro football cities.

At two pep rallies, Sulphur Springs students were presented with about $5,000 worth of physical education equipment ranging from basketballs to Hula-Hoops. Bucs players will return Thursday to help redo the school's basketball court and play area.

'This is the best part for us,' said Matt Lehr as excited children gathered around the Bucs' brawny center/guard. 'This never gets old.'

Lehr said he used to visit his sister's fifth-grade class in his hometown of Woodridge, Va., to encourage the students.

'When I was a kid, I never had an opportunity like this,' he said.

Science lab teacher Marlin Steward described the scene of Hilliard, Lehr, wide receiver Maurice Stovall, cornerback Sammy Davis and Bucs mascot Captain Fear delivering the playground goods and enjoying the children as a 'beautiful thing.'

Steward said the children were overjoyed at the time with Bucs players.

'It's hard to believe that professional athletes are here at this school,' he added, shaking his head.

But not all was fun and games. Hilliard told third- through fifth-graders that what he and his teammates have as pro football players comes from staying in school.

'We all did the necessary things to be where we wanted to be,' he said. 'Read, study and stay away from video games.'

After Hilliard spoke, new Principal Cora-Lynne Wimberly said the school's F grade is not where she wants to be.

'It's not very good, guys,' she said.

Physical education teacher Andrew Lewis, a former semipro basketball player, said the Hometown Huddle coming to Sulphur Springs, 8412 N. 13th St., could be a new beginning.

'It's good for these kids who are at an economic disadvantage to get a chance like this,' Lewis said.

United Way of Tampa Bay spokeswoman Elaine Speer said the school was selected because Sulphur Springs, a working-class neighborhood near Interstate 275 and the Hillsborough River, is the focus of a community improvement initiative.

She said the school lacked proper gym equipment.

'We saw worn-out balls in a Kmart shopping cart,' she said.

The new equipment was what Demetries West, 8, and Callie Conage, 7, were pumped up about as they sat in the sun with their classmates awaiting the pickup truck filled with jump-ropes, volleyballs and baseball mitts.

'We like games,' Callie said bluntly.

Reporter Janis D. Froelich can be reached at (813) 835-2104 or jfroelich@tampatrib.com.

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