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The University of New Mexico

NEWS RELEASE



Media Contact: Steve Carr, 277-1821
scarr@unm.edu

April 6, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UNM Saves Sports Program Threatened by Federal Cuts

The University of New Mexico has identified funding to keep the 37-year old National Youth Sports Program in operation, following federal budget cuts that threatened its cancellation. UNM Acting President David Harris and Viola Florez, dean, College of Education, will combine resources to save the program for another year and have increased its funding to $50,000.

The summer program for disadvantaged youth uses sports instruction and competition as a means to build self-esteem, reinforce the importance of education and promote healthy lifestyles.

“We’ve been working to identify alternate funding since we learned the program faced cancellation several days ago,” said Harris. “It is surprising and somewhat disturbing that federal funds were cut for a program that promotes childhood health and wellness when we’re facing a national epidemic of childhood obesity and diabetes.”

Created by Congress in 1969, the National Youth Sports Program has proven to be highly successful in 39 states.

The local program, which falls under the UNM College of Education’s Department of Physical Performance and Development, had more than 50 percent of its funding cut in 2006, from $90,000 to $40,000. This year, the rest of the funding was eliminated. With the $50,000 infusion from UNM, the five-week program will provide athletics and two meals a day for numerous underprivileged youth this summer.

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The University of New Mexico is the state's largest university, serving more than 32,000 students. UNM is home to the state's only schools of law, medicine, pharmacy and architecture and operates New Mexico's only academic health center. UNM is noted for comprehensive undergraduate programs and research that benefits the state and the nation.

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