With school now back in session and the NBA season just around the corner, the Philadelphia 76ers partnered with Five Below to build excitement for the newly arrived scholastic season.
On Thursday, Sept. 12, members of the Philadelphia 76ers, including the Sixers Stixers, Squad 76, Franklin the Dog, and Sixers forward Ricky Council IV, took to the stage at the Thomas Mifflin School in East Falls for a pep rally to welcome all the school’s students to another year. Roughly 400 students, in addition to teachers and other staff, were on hand to welcome the 76ers.
The festivities began with the introductions of the Sixers Stixers, the team’s drumline, and Squad 76, the franchise’s dance team. As they, led by Sixers in-arena host Lee Farrell, set the atmosphere, the excitement in the room was only beginning to build. Farrell introduced the 76ers’ mascot, Franklin, who ran up and down the aisle in the auditorium as the students feverishly screamed. Those screams grew in enthusiasm as Farrell announced Ricky Council IV’s arrival.
Council addressed the students, speaking of the importance of appreciating this time in their lives and holding a Q&A.
He reinforced those ideas he wished to impart when speaking with the media following the event.
“I truly remember my times in elementary. I remember when we had elementary graduation, I literally cried. I enjoyed this so much. I just wanted them to take this time by time and enjoy it while you can. Sometimes I think about the high school, I think about the middle school, and I think, go back and think about elementary, and I just want them to enjoy,” Council said.
“Eating, sleeping, and especially the sleeping part, was really important. Growing up, [I] always got my bed rest [and] went to bed early. On the weekends, I could sleep in pretty much as late as I wanted to if I didn’t have [anything] to do so; that’s probably what helped me grow. And then the nutrition as well, like all that’s important, all that helps you get to the next level.”
Council assisted the 76ers in presenting two teachers with $500 gift cards to recognize them for going above and beyond the classroom in service of their students, and took part in a t-shirt toss alongside Franklin and Squad 76, sending many of the students in attendance home with some team swag.
Every student in attendance also received a gift from the Sixers as they left the auditorium, with Council briefly speaking hello to every child on their way back to class while handing out the gifts.
The pep rally follows an event the team did on Tuesday, Sept. 10, when they, along with center Andre Drummond, visited Thomas H. Dudley Family School in Camden, New Jersey. Altogether, the team held rallies for roughly 1,000 students, generating excitement for the newly arrived school year.
