The NCAA News - News and Features

July 6, 1998

Head of federal anti-drug program helps NYSP celebrate 30th birthday

BY DAVID PICKLE
STAFF WRITER

When people turn 30, it's an occasion for dark humor and for acknowledging that most of your youth is a thing of the past.

But when something like the National Youth Sports Program celebrates its 30th anniversary, it is a testimony to its long-term value and to the people who have made it prosper over three decades.

NYSP began in 1968 as a partnership between the federal government and the NCAA. At the time, 100 NCAA member institutions were involved. Of those charter members, 34 remain involved -- including the University of Memphis and LeMoyne-Owen College, both of which were recognized during the 30th birthday ceremony June 24 in Memphis.

NYSP currently serves more than 67,392 youth through 170 community colleges, colleges and universities in 151 cities in 47 states.

Gen. Barry McCaffrey, director of the Office of National Drug Policy, was the featured speaker for the anniversary event. Speaking to dignitaries as well as NYSP participants, McCaffrey noted that his office is urging athletes to take on greater role-model responsibility, especially for younger teen-agers.

"We're pretty sure that most children leave the fifth and sixth grades where they've seen drugs but they're not really using them," McCaffrey said. "And then during those middle school years, they get absolutely pushed into this peer-group pressure. By the time they're high-school seniors, one out of four are regularly using drugs."

He noted that the NCAA, Major League Soccer, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the National Federation of State High School Associations will take part in a new anti-drug initiative and that other major sports organizations are expected to join.

The initiative will feature the motto "Users are Losers, Be a Winner" and will include television and radio spots, as well as public appearances by coaches and athletes.

"We're going to talk to youngsters on television, radio, the Internet, billboards," McCaffrey said. "We'll make the argument that drugs will wreck you physically, mentally and morally."

McCaffrey presented a $250,000 check from the drug-education fund to NYSP for outreach to additional children from housing authorities. The funding comes from an agreement between the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the NCAA that was announced in April.

Others participating in the anniversary program included Daniel Boggan Jr., NCAA chief operating officer; Van Oliphant, vice-provost for extended programs at Memphis; and Dante Washington, a soccer player for the Dallas Burn of Major League Soccer.

Mutual commitment

The program included about 200 people, including about 100 youths who participate in NYSP at Memphis and LeMoyne-Owen.

Boggan praised the mutual commitment that has made NYSP a success.

"In general terms," he said, "the National Youth Sports Program can be described as a structured sports and educational program. But in reality, it is much more than that.

"NYSP has been an ongoing partnership between the NCAA and the federal government since 1968. It requires dedicated commitments from universities, community leaders and student-athletes for its continued success."

Washington, of the Dallas Burn soccer team, stressed the importance of staying drug-free if an individual hopes to succeed in sports or anything else.

"To be the best you can be, you have to have your mind clear and your body healthy," he said. "Drugs don't do anything but tear your body down."

The soccer player later participated in a clinic with the youth in a demonstration of an NYSP activity.

In a related matter, President Clinton declared July 1 "National Youth Sports Program Day."