NYSP Combines Sports, Health, Career Options

At the core of the college’s mission to reach out to our community, and seldom is this more visible than in the summer, when the campus is alive with boys and girls, ages10-16, from surrounding neighborhoods taking part in the National Youth Sports Program (NYSP). Since 1988, the college has hosted this program that offers disadvantaged youth from metropolitan areas sports-skill instruction and competition, plus health education and information about academic and career opportunities –– all free of charge.  NYSP began in 1968 as a pilot project of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the President's Council on Physical Fitness to bring structured sports and education programs to low-income youngsters. The following year the federal government launched an annual grant to fund the project, which is now a partnership of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the nation’s colleges and universities acting through the NCAA.  Each year the dedicated campus NYSP advisory board members are busy raising funds to provide much-needed supplies and services for the NYSP children, according to Paulette Hopkins, campus coordinator for NYSP. UCSD Medical Center Pediatric Clinic and the San Diego Unified School District also provide critical assistance with educational resources and coordination. Logo contest Each year NYSP conducts a T-shirt competition in which participants vie to create the winning design that will be featured as the official NYSP logo for the following year. The contest allows NYSP youngsters to express their creativity, promote a sense of pride and accomplishment at the NYSP institutions, and increase visibility and awareness of NYSP. In 2003, NYSP introduced a family fitness initiative designed to involve parents and guardians in NYSP activities and to collaborate with community resources. As a part of this initiative, participants were asked to base their designs on the family fitness theme. This year Cynthia Tecson, 14, a summer 2003 City College NYSP participant, won the NYSP design competition, beating out competitors from across the country. As the official NYSP 2004 logo, Cynthia’s winning design will appear on all participant T-shirts as well as various NYSP print materials in 2004. Look for it to be worn by the NYSP youngsters on campus this coming summer. “The best part of having an NYSP family is receiving their guidance,” Cynthia says. “They help guide me through life and success.” She and her mother will travel to Washington, DC, this month to receive her award and recognition from all 200 NYSP projects.

City Highlights - Feb. 2004 - Author, Kristin Tow
 

 For more information contact Paulette Hopkins | Phone (619) 388-3015 | E-mail: phopkins@sdccd.cc.ca.us |