March 1, 2001

Los Angeles -- Members of the UCLA football and women's track teams will take part in the NEA's Read Across America program on Friday, a national celebration taking place on in schools across the country.

For the second year in a row, members of the Bruin football team will be headed to Mayo Elementary School in Compton. From 11:00-1:00 p.m., the players are scheduled to read to the students and talk with them about the importance of literacy. Among those scheduled to attend include, starting linebacker Ryan Nece and offensive tackle Mike Saffer.

Also on Friday, 25 members of the UCLA women's track team will take part in similar activities at the Compton Unified School District Office, from 3:30-4:30 p.m.

The Read Across America program, held every year on Dr. Seuss's birthday, seeks to have every child in every school in the U.S. read with an adult. An estimated 30 million children and adults participated in last year's program.

Mayo Elementary School is located at 915 N. Mayo in Compton.