When the men's basketball team was approached with an initiative to record themselves reading books for kids at Hassenfeld Children's Hospital at NYU Langone, it immediately struck a chord with junior Harrison Whatley (Mount Pleasant, SC/Porter Gaud).

Back to when he was in fourth grade, Whatley suffered an unexpected asthma attack which sent him to the hospital over Thanksgiving break. He remembers watching movies to stay busy, so he recognizes now the importance of keeping younger patients entertained — especially at a time when hospital visits from loved ones are exceedingly limited due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

"It gives them a feeling of knowing us, being familiar with us," Whatley said. "It makes it a little more personalized. Rather than them sitting there and reading a book on their own, they can see a real face and someone actually reading the book to them."

Whatley specifically recalled watching a documentary which highlighted an NBA player who overcame asthma, and another movie which a friend's parent brought for him about surmounting challenges.

"Watching that documentary made me feel a lot more positive. It gave me hope," recalled Whatley, who majors in Economics. "If you're spending a lot of time in the hospital as a kid, you've got a lot going through your head. So, seeing someone else who has been through those things and has overcome those things, it's just really encouraging. I can say it had that effect on me."
 

The initiative which the basketball team is involved in is called Skyline TV. Once the student-athletes record themselves reading the book, along with a brief personal introduction, the recording is matched with digital illustrations to make a video. 

Each student participating is recording two books, according to Assistant Coach David Muchnick, who was responsible for getting the team connected with Hassenfeld.

Whatley read The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister, a story about sharing.

"Being in the hospital can be an isolating experience. But through Skyline TV and our Virtual Storytime, patients can enjoy seeing these cool athletes sharing their favorite books which feels very personal," said Siobhan Greene, the Child Life Patient Media Coordinator at Hassenfeld. "It also helps promote the benefits of reading."

Skyline TV also allows the book recordings to be played over and over for many kids, providing comfort at a time when hospital visits present a significant risk. Muchnick said that Skyline TV was a natural fit with the basketball team, and a great opportunity to make an impact. 

"If we can brighten their day in any way that's helpful for them, that brightens our day also because we're affecting somebody's life in a positive way," Muchnick said. "The fact that this hospital is under the NYU umbrella, I think only enhances this program and it was why I reached out to them in the first place. This is something that's going to hopefully outlive all of us and help many, many children for years to come."

NYU sophomore Ephraim Reed (Alexandria, VA/St. Stephens & St. Agnes School), also on the basketball team, is contributing to the program as well. He referenced how community service is a core value for the Violets, and that Muchnick has been a big part of making sure that they continue to be involved during the pandemic.

"We haven't been able to meet as a team to do any community service, obviously, because of Covid," said Reed, who majors in Sports Management. "So this is just a good opportunity for us to still do something as a team, but also do something to help the kids."

So far, Reed has recorded himself reading Oh, the Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss, a classic which offers inspiring possibilities for the future. Focusing on opportunities yet to come is valuable for everyone currently contending with the pandemic, and particularly so for people in the hospital.

"I think it's important to not always think about ourselves," Reed said. "Just recognize that there are people who are going through different things that are worse to deal with, so it's good to get their perspectives and also just good to help."