The University of New Mexico

NEWS RELEASE

Media Contact: Steve Carr, (505) 277-1821
scarr@unm.edu

May 23, 2008

National Youth Sports Program Returns to UNM

This summer, the National Youth Sports Program (NYSP) at the University of New Mexico will once again provide a free sports program for disadvantaged youngsters in the community whose parents or guardians. The NYSP combines sports instruction with exciting educational programs for children ages 9-14.

Registration and physicals will be conducted Tuesday-Wednesday, June 3-4 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. All participants must have a physical to participate. However, NYSP will accept a current physical from a participant’s own doctor if it’s within the past 10 months. All applications must be brought to Johnson Center on registration/physical days. The camp begins Thursday, June 5 and concludes Wednesday, July 2. Camp hours are 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. daily.

The program, which falls under UNM’s College of Education’s Department of Physical Performance and Development, was created nationally in 1969 with $3 million from Congress. It serves nearly 40 states nationally by utilizing sports instruction and competition as a means to enhance self-esteem, promote respect for oneself and others, reinforce the importance of education to one's future, and to promote active, healthy lifestyles.

Sports activities include swimming, tennis, basketball, soccer, new image rugby, softball and football (flickerball). The education program includes alcohol and other drug -abuse prevention, nutrition and personal health, career and educational opportunities and job responsibilities, as well as higher education and community concerns. Also, as part of the program, each participant receives a free medical examination and follow-up (if necessary) and at least one free meal daily.

UNM has continued its support of this program to improve the health and physical fitness of youth in the community.

For more information concerning the UNM NYSP program, call UNM’s Department of Physical Performance and Development at (505) 277-5151 or visit http://www.unm.edu/~nyspunm/. For more information on the National Youth Sports Program visit: http://www.nyscorp.org/nysp/home.html.

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