While the details are being worked out, the members of the UConn women's basketball program will be lending a helping hand to encourage students to spend some time reading books after school hours in a joint venture between their head coach Geno Auriemma and the Connecticut Association of Schools.

At a press conference at Gampel Pavilion, Auriemma was accompanied by Caroline Doty, Heather Buck and Kelly Fsris to add 18 elementary school-aged students at five schools. Auriemma was at his engaging, entertaining best addressing the kids even promising that "if you all graduate from high school, you will get something from me."

Will Auriemma still be the UConn women's basketball coach when the last of these 18 kids are seniors in high school? Probably not but I trust Auriemma will keep his word providing that 18 youngsters keep their promise to him to graduate from high school.

Beginning next week, schools can register to join the "Geno's Reading Team" program. With NCAA regulations being what they are, all the t's need to be crossed and i's need to be dotted before the UConn players get involved in the program. The tentative plan if for them to provide video reports on a list of books provided to schools who sign up.

My advice to representatives from schools who want to take part in the project is to monitor the www.casciac.org website or you can e-mail Dave Maloney at dmaloney@casciac.org.