The NCAA News - News and FeaturesFebruary 17, 1997
NYSP workshop focuses on team-unity activities, awards presentations
National Youth Sports Program staff from all around the country participated in a one-day team-building exercise during the annual NYSP workshop January 19-22 in Orlando, Florida.
The exercise, a first for NYSP staff members, was supervised by members of the Disney University staff. The seminar emphasized cooperation among staff members and program participants.
Awards
Various awards also were presented during the workshop:
The Silvio O. Conte Award of Excellence, an annual award that recognizes one school for providing an exceptional program and exemplary community service, was presented to Hampton University. Other finalists for the award were Canisius College; Central Carolina Community College; and the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire.
The NYSP Inspirational Achievement Award was presented to Lucille Hester and staff at the University of the District of Columbia. Last year, the school overcame obstacles resulting from municipal financial disarray in Washington, D.C., and severe cuts in the university budget to operate a successful program.
Other recipients of meritorious awards included Alabama A&M University; University of Arizona; University of California, Davis; Fayetteville State University; Harris-Stowe State College; University of Illinois, Chicago; Johnson C. Smith University; Lawson State Community College; LeMoyne-Owen College; Malcolm X College; Monroe Community College; Norfolk State University; Northern Arizona University; Oklahoma State University; Community College of Rhode Island; Southern Oregon State University; University of Texas, Pan American; Texas Tech University; and University of Wisconsin, La Crosse.
Thlay Thla Chim, a 13-year-old NYSP participant at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell, was honored as the winner of the 1996 T-shirt design contest. Thlay Thla's design also will be featured on posters and other NYSP materials during the year.
Other workshop activities
In other activities at the workshop:
Representatives of various national governing bodies for sports met with attendees to discuss ways to enhance instruction at NYSP sites.
Currently, NYSP is a partner with the United States Tennis Association, the Professional Golfers Association, U.S. Swimming, USA Softball and USA Volleyball, as well as the program's newest partner, USA Soccer.
Attendees participated in roundtable discussions and the annual NYSP Resource Fair in order to trade innovative ideas about working with NYSP participants.
Reggie Williams, vice-president of Walt Disney World Sports, presented the closing address. He discussed the importance of sports in motivating children to overcome challenges and commended NYSP for its 28 years of outstanding service.
Other highlights
The NCAA National Youth Sports Program Committee met in conjunction with the recent NYSP workshop in Orlando, Florida.
During the meeting:
The committee's new chair, Michael F. Alden of Southwest Texas State University, was introduced. He replaces outgoing chair Horace T. Small of Fayetteville State University.
The American Red Cross expressed interest in working with NYSP to promote swimming safety since swimming is required at all sites.
The committee noted that 174 schools will host NYSP in 1997. This total includes eight new schools: Auburn University, Cleveland State University, Northeast Louisiana University, Bowie State University, University of Tennessee at Martin, Francis Marion University, University of Nevada and University of Hawaii at Hilo.
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