Tigers, MEA team up for summer reading program

Courtesy of the Detroit Tigers/MEA

DETROIT: The Detroit Tigers and the Michigan Education Association announced today the 2012 “Michigan Reads” program to promote summer reading.

“Summertime is a great time for baseball – and for summer reading,” said Elaine Lewis, Vice President, for Community and Public Affairs of the Detroit Tigers. “The Tigers have been proud to bring hundreds of students and their families to Comerica Park as part of Michigan Reads, and we’re looking forward to partnering for another great year.”

All Michigan K-12 students are eligible to join the program by visiting MichiganReads.com.

“Everybody’s rooting for the Tigers to win on the field,” said Stephen B. Cook, president of the Michigan Education Association, the state’s largest school employees union. “Students, parents and teachers also win when kids stay involved with reading during the summer months.”

Once registered, eligible students can qualify for three-for-two Tigers tickets by reading ten books and having their parents or a teacher document their accomplishments. After a student documents reading ten books, parents or a teacher will receive an email from the Detroit Tigers to arrange a ticket order.

The Tigers have set aside three game dates on Saturday, Sept. 1st and Sunday Sept. 2nd against the Chicago White Sox and on Labor Day, Monday Sept. 3 against the Cleveland Indians for Michigan Reads. Three hundred discounted tickets will be available for each game, available on a first-come, first-serve basis to those who register at MichiganReads.com.

Qualifying students will receive a free $24 value ticket to Comerica Park, with the purchase of two accompanying $24 tickets.

MichiganReads.com will be open for documentation of summer reading activities beginning July 1st.

To allow time for processing ticket orders, all reading accomplishments must be documented by August 15th. More information, including recommended reading lists, is available at MichiganReads.com.

The Michigan Education Association (MEA) represents more than 157,000 teachers, faculty and education support staff throughout the state. Michigan Reads is operated by the MEA and community partners to provide educational opportunities for Michigan students and families.

The Detroit Tigers, Inc., a charter member of the American League in 1901, have won four World Series and 10 American League pennants. The team is owned by Michael Ilitch who purchased the ballclub in 1992. Michael and his wife, Marian, jointly own other companies in the food, sports and entertainment industries include: Little Caesars Pizza, Blue Line Foodservice Distribution, the Detroit Red Wings, Olympia Entertainment, Olympia Development, Little Caesars Pizza Kit Fundraising Program, Champion Foods, Uptown Entertainment and Ilitch Holdings, Inc. Marian Ilitch is the
sole owner of MotorCity Casino Hotel. For more information, visit www.tigers.com.