The NCAA News - News and Features

The NCAA News -- December 6, 1999

NYSP programming tops 200 with addition of 12 schools

The National Youth Sports Program (NYSP) will boast 200 programs for the first time in 2000, now that the NCAA National Youth Sports Program Committee has recommended funding for 12 additional programs.

The committee, during its October 25-27 meeting in Indianapolis, conducted a compliance review of the five-week summer program sponsored at colleges and universities across the country during summer months. The review revealed that NYSP had a record number of participants, 69,546, in 1999. The statistics, which also showed that NYSP employed 5,157 facilitators last summer, indicated to the committee that program expansion was necessary.

The committee also voted to add another program evaluator to cover the expansion in 2000. Currently, 15 evaluators, who were former NYSP site administrators, travel to sites to assure that NYSP objectives are being met and quality services are being rendered.

Additional evaluation resources also will be available to the committee next year. A partnership with U. S. attorney general's office will provide NYSP with a qualitative evaluation of selected NYSP programs.

Surgeon General Leroy Satcher, who spoke at last year's NYSP convention, is interested in pursuing a partnership that could utilize NYSP's methods and health services to improve school and community-based health programs. Likewise, the surgeon general will be examining ways that existing government health programs can assist in the medical efforts of NYSP with resources and expertise. NYSP administers medical examinations to each participant before the start of the program, screening for pre-existing conditions and offering health referrals.

"The surgeon general's office is specially equipped to conduct qualitative research on NYSP, with experienced personnel and common geographic links to NYSP institutions via regional centers," said Edward A. Thiebe, NCAA director of youth programs. "The committee is implementing its goals to enhance program expansion and provide funding to maintain program quality."

Evaluating a pilot program for participants ages 13-16 that began three years ago at four selected sites to focus on special needs of older NYSP participants will lead to further additions to NYSP programming. The senior program is designed to help students prepare for standardized tests, college planning, and to reinforce reading and writing skills. The committee is now committed to expanding the senior program to 30 sites in 2000.

Site coordinators will meet at the NYSP National Workshop in Washington, D.C., February 18-20 to prepare for the 32nd year of NYSP. New sites will be introduced at that time. Also, 24 current sites will be recognized for meritorious achievement in 1999, including one institution that will receive the Silvio O. Conte Award of Excellence in recognition of exceptional and innovative program implementation.