Huskers Announce Go Big Read Campaign

The Nebraska athletic department, in partnership with Linked2Literacy, announced Go Big Read on Monday. Go Big Read is a weeklong initiative that will take place from Monday, Feb. 24 to Friday, Feb. 28 to help promote literacy in Lincoln schools, libraries and communities.

"Linked2Literacy is thrilled to partner with Nebraska Athletics for the first-annual Go Big Read initiative," said Kathleen Ousey, Executive Director of Linked2Literacy. "This week of literacy and sports-themed activities will empower, ignite and encourage elementary students in Lincoln. This collaboration promotes early childhood literacy and instills a love of reading in the community."

According to Nebraska Public Media, in 2023-24, 59% of third graders were considered proficient in ELA, a mark which was down from 62% in the previous year. Studies show that third graders who aren’t reading at their reading level can face significant challenges in their future, and Nebraska Athletics aims to use sports as a platform to encourage reading.

The Nebraska Department of Education received a $55 million grant in 2024 to improve literacy. Go Big Read will fit seamlessly with the efforts that the state is already pursuing to improve literacy. “Go Big Read” hopes to play a part in the Department of Education’s goal of increasing third grade ELA proficiency to 75% by 2030.

"Nebraska Athletics strives to use its platform to support the Lincoln community and make a tangible difference,” said Nebraska Assistant Director of Community & Charitable Relations Kristen Nett. “We are excited to make reading more accessible and more fun with the help of sports and our Husker student-athletes. We look forward to expanding on this initiative for years to come."

The event will open with “Go Big Read at School” on Monday, when Husker student-athletes will visit schools around Lincoln and read in classrooms. Students are encouraged to wear red on this day.

Tuesday will be “Go Big Read at the Library,” and Husker cheer, spirit squads and mascots will visit different libraries across the city. Wednesday marks “Go Big Read in the Community,” when there will be a reading event and book drive at Community Action’s Gathering Place and Lincoln Housing Authority’s Air Park Community Center.

Thursday is “Go Big Read Together,” which is highlighted by a “Reading Through Art” event at the Sheldon Art Museum that is open to the public. The week will close with “Go Big Read at Home,” when all families are encouraged to read together for 30 minutes at their houses.

Participants are encouraged to post on social media throughout the week with the hashtag #GoBigRead. A full schedule of events and more details can be found at huskers.com/gobigread.