The football players from NAIA Championship contender Lindenwood University strode into Pep­per­ell Primary School on Thursday morning in black track suits with gold trim for a face-to-face with the school’s students.

The students, well, they wore pajamas. It was pajama day after all.

Players, coaches and other officials representing Lindenwood and their championship opponent the University of Sioux Falls visited area schools to meet students, answer questions and offer some champion-style advice.

“Do good in school. For most people your education will take you much further in life than athletics will,” Logen Wright, linebacker for the Lindenwood Lions told a group of Pepperell third-graders assembled in the school cafeteria.

Half of the Lions’ representatives went to Pepper­ell and the other half took a trip to East Central Elementary.

Sioux Falls split their representatives between Elm Street and West End elementary schools.

The principal and vice principal at Pepperell were excited to have the players visit because they like to bring in positive role models to try and influence their students.

“It means the world to me,” said Principal Carmen Jones. “We’re really blessed to have this today.”

Assistant Principal Aimee Hays said the team brought an energy to the school.

“It’s powerful to watch the children ask these guys questions about getting to where they’re at,” she said. “They see these guys and think, ‘that could be me one day.’”

A small group of players visited classrooms and read Christmas-themed stories to the students, something the students seemed to enjoy. Meanwhile, back in the Pepper­ell cafeteria, kids were busy learning about the players in attendance and hearing valuable life lessons.

“Work hard, stay determined, and everything will work out for you,” said Terrance Jackson, a Lindenwood wide receiver and a native of Vidalia.

The team’s punter, Nick Somes, told students that they can accomplish something good, even if they’re only regarded as the kicker, a comment that drew laughs from the crowd.

“Don’t ever let anyone tell you no,” he said.

Other pieces of advice included trying different activities and sports, because you never know what you’re good at until you’ve tried it; always have fun; and be your own biggest fan.

The students had lots of questions for the players, from wanting to know their favorite NFL team to asking what it takes to go undefeated all season long (hard work and practice, by the way), but the quickest answer came when a student asked the team what they wanted for Christmas.

Players pointed to their ring fingers and their coach answered into the microphone, “I think they all want a championship on Saturday.”