The University of Alabama, in association with Tuscaloosa City and County Schools, introduced during the fall semester a comprehensive educational and athletic curriculum designed to engage Tuscaloosa’s fifth grade students in basketball-related activities in subjects including math, language arts and character education.

The program, called the "5th Grade Fastbreak," will run parallel to the Alabama women's basketball season, beginning in the fall semester and concluding in March. The marquee event was the "5th Grade Fastbreak Game of the Year," December 17, when all City and County fifth grade classes were invited to watch Alabama host Alabama A&M at Coleman Coliseum free of charge.

"It’s an idea we’ve been thinking about for several years, to try to engage elementary schools to engage in women's basketball and an early tip-off game where we would invite the kids," Alabama senior women’s administrator Marie Robbins said, "But we finally got our ducks in a row this summer to think about it."

The program will introduce semester-long academic curriculum to the students in mathematics, English/language arts, science, character education, art and physical education. Using examples from the basketball world, students will cover everything from geometry to sports writing while looking to the Alabama women's basketball team as an example of self-discipline, teamwork, sportsmanship and responsibility.

"The idea started out with all elementary students and then we decided to focus our efforts on a particular grade, and we chose fifth grade because it’s the culminating year of elementary school, and we hope it will grow to a yearly thing where as you go through first through fourth grade it's something you look forward to in fifth grade," Robbins said. "In some of the ideas we've gotten and presented to superintendents, they're on board and a lot of excitement has been developing over the partnership."

Tuscaloosa teachers developed lesson plans centered on the various aspects of the game of basketball – in math, the students will discuss the geometry of the ball and court while practicing in stat-keeping. In science, the students will learn about energy and motion, and in art the students will create a painting, drawing or sculpture related to Alabama women's basketball.

In English and language arts, students can write essays about the women's basketball team and players. After attending the "Game of the Year," students could then report on the game as a sportswriter. The best game story in each class will win the student two free tickets to a subsequent game.

"Fastbreak is a wonderful opportunity for our fifth grade students to interact with college athletes," said Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Polly Moore. "By integrating basketball into all areas of the fifth grade curriculum, motivation will certainly be increased. As the college athletes and the fifth graders work together in the classroom positive relationships will promote student achievement. Both the elementary and the college students will gain much from these experiences."

In addition to the academic curriculum, Tuscaloosa students will also be learning sportsmanship and looking to the team for role models through the program. Specific messages to the students will include self-discipline, teamwork, making good grades and responsibility to self and others.

"Alabama women's basketball is looking forward to hosting the fifth graders from throughout the county," head coach Stephany Smith said. "It is an event that has been put on in recognition of the education initiative they have met in the first half of the school year."

Alabama student-athletes and coaches will periodically visit students at school to discuss the topics.

"It shows that the university, though both intercollegiate athletics and various colleges on the campus, is committed to servicing the community," Robbins said. "This is an example of how we engage in the community here and the children of Tuscaloosa.

"It's something that will benefit the kids as they engage in their studies tied to basketball and be a plus for the women’s basketball program in developing young fans and outreach for the student athletes and coaches."