National Collegiate Athletic Association

NCAA News Archive - 2010

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May 14, 2010 3:00:00 PM

The impact of the 2010 Women's Final Four will continue in San Antonio for years to come, thanks to several legacy programs implemented in the community during the tournament.

More than 30,000 San Antonio middle school and elementary age children were affected through programs ranging from Middle School Madness, Pinnacle of Fitness, Dome Dribble sponsored by Powerade, NCAA youth clinics (sponsored by Vitamin Water), NCAA junior journalism programs and uniform donations through Wilson Sporting Goods.

Thousands more were reached via Women's Final Four events that included Tourney Town; the 4Kay Run; College Fair Tip-Off; and the Champions4Women Forum, which featured a presentation by former United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

"The NCAA and our corporate champions and partners were pleased to collaborate with the San Antonio Local Organizing Committee to leave a footprint behind in San Antonio," said Sue Donohoe, NCAA vice president of Division I women's basketball. "We hope our participation in these many initiatives made a positive difference for the families and youth of San Antonio and will continue to do so for years to come."

The NCAA Middle School Madness program brought a teaching and learning opportunity to a number of middle school classrooms.

Created in 1999, the program incorporates a curriculum for teachers, along with an essay contest for students and a school-wide mural contest. The NCAA-developed curriculum ties academic disciplines in the primary school subjects into the sport of basketball. The contests, developed for students in grades 6-8, centered on the theme, "What is the Power of a Dream?" for setting and achieving goals.

Four essay winners received laptop computers provided by the NCAA. The mural contest winner, the José M. Lopez Middle School, was awarded two desktop computers, and students received an NCAA cinch bag filled with NCAA gift items.

The murals and essays were displayed at Tourney Town and around San Antonio during the 2010 Women's Final Four weekend.

A total of 18 San Antonio middle schools participated in the program. Schools that participated in the mural contest received a $200 cash honorarium for art supplies, while schools that participated in both the mural and essay contests received a $500 cash honorarium for school supplies and physical education equipment, Wilson basketballs and a basketball rack.  Participating students and teachers also received a participation gift.

The Pinnacle of Fitness program featured 50 schools in San Antonio that educated and challenged students to improve their level of physical fitness through leading active lives, goal-setting and developing life skills. The program rewarded youth for improving their health and wellness. A total of 16 schools that had 80-percent participation in the program received $500 in sports equipment provided by Wilson. 

The NCAA, working in conjunction with Wilson, also donated basketball uniforms and basketballs to the Young Women's Leadership Academy and to the Boys and Girls Club of San Antonio. In addition, the San Antonio Police Department Youth Basketball League and San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department received basketballs, ball racks and coolers.

Today, the NCAA distributed additional Women's Final Four T-shirts and basketballs to selected groups in San Antonio, with 330 T-shirts and basketballs going to the San Antonio Sports Fit Family Challenge program, the Sam Rayburn Middle School and Haven for Hope. The Fit Family Challenge runs from early May to mid-September, challenging families to exercise, eat healthier and attend Fit Family Challenge fitness events. In addition, seven San Antonio school districts will be provided 120 basketballs to distribute to member schools.