A sports documentary produced by the NCAA and the Citizenship Through Sports Alliance (CTSA) has been recognized by the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival as the best in its class.

The documentary, narrated by the Rev. Jesse Jackson and featuring a variety of sports figures from the NCAA, the National Football League, the National Basketball Association, the National Hockey League and the U.S. Olympic Committee, was named as the best sports documentary at the festival. Titled "Citizenship through Sports and Education," the documentary was written and produced by Todd Ehrlich of T-line TV for the NCAA, the National Federation of State High School Associations and the CTSA. The production costs for the documentary were funded in part by the American-Israel Friendship League.

The video is being distributed to high schools and universities to help promote the impact that participation in sports can have on creating better citizens and future leaders, as well as breaking down international and cultural barriers.

The film features the recent baseball series between the Baltimore Orioles and the Cuban national team, competition from recent Olympic Games, the Miami Heat's visit to Israel and other international sports competitions that have helped bridge cultural gaps.

Daniel Boggan Jr., NCAA senior vice-president, chief operating officer and chair of the CTSA, said the messages in the film are inherent in the positive stories about people and organizations trying to make a difference. "Participation in sports teaches teamwork, tenacity, loyalty, dedication, and most importantly, respect for self and for others," Boggan said.

In addition to Jackson, Gen. Colin Powell and NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue make guest appearances in the film. Current University of Connecticut basketball student-athlete Khalid El-Amin and professional athletes Eddie George of the NFL's Tennessee Titans and Avery Johnson of the NBA's San Antonio Spurs also appear.

"There are a lot of these kinds of high-profile people who are interested in the issue of character and educational leadership and what sports can do to facilitate respect, the foundations for learning, the commitment to excellence and the need to discipline oneself to become better," Boggan said. "For example, Jesse Jackson as a former student-athlete makes such a passionate plea in terms of the value of his sports participation, and that resonates with a lot of people because it makes you feel your own story in terms of what athletics has meant to you either as a participant or as a fan watching the excellence of those who do it well.

"Similarly, Gen. Powell was touched by the notion of the need to get back to some fundamental understandings of what holds our society together, and respect for self and others, and the bonding that occurs from the games that we play is one of the ways to do that."

The Citizenship Through Sports Alliance is a joint effort by colleges and high schools, U.S. Olympic groups and professional sports leagues to promote the values of citizenship that are realized through sportsmanship and ethical play in athletics.

Boggan said the video was an effort to explain the CTSA's mission to a broader audience.

"Once the video was done, it was of such quality that it was suggested we enter it into this competition," he said.

Boggan said the video will be sent to athletics directors at all NCAA member schools for them to give to coaches to use at team meetings, preseason gatherings or in-season sessions as an inspirational tool for promoting the value of sportsmanship. The video can also be viewed at the NCAA Online sportmanship Web page.

"Student-athletes need to hear and understand these messages from the people in the video who live them every day," he said. "It's a message we need to remind ourselves of constantly."