Cooley reads to students at Immaculate Conception

The Cranston Herald ·

The administration and faculty at Immaculate Conception Catholic Regional School in Cranston have developed a unique way to mix academics with athletics.

During reading week, for example, the well-run school had a special and famous visitor named Ed Cooley, the highly-successful head basketball coach at Providence College. Cooley, in fact, is the second such PC celebrity to visit ICCRS this year.

Nate Leamen, who led Providence College’s ice hockey Friars to the national championship two years ago, also visited the Cranston school and read special stories to students.

Cooley did the same thing during the recent Reading Week when he read the Pre-K class a passage from Salt in his Shoes, a book about former NBA World Champion and Super Star Michael Jordan and his BIG dreams.

“Coach Cooley was also gracious enough to make an appearance in a middle school classroom,” David DelFino, a Johnston resident who heads the ICCRS Physical Education program, noted. “He shared his words of wisdom on working hard and respecting your teachers and parents. How lucky we were to have Coach Cooley visit our school.”

Cooley, though, did more than just read and speak to the ICCRS students.

“Incredible,” DelFino said, excitement ringing in his voice. “He even offered a chance for one of our students to win a week at his summer basketball camp and an autographed basketball. Now that is indeed a very generous donation.”

Upon his arrival, Cooley – who was accompanied by Steve Napolillo, PC’s veteran Senior Assistant Director of Athletics – was greeted by ICCRS Principal Andrea Spaziante.