May 10, 2001
In conjunction with the 2001 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Softball Championships hosted by Marist College, the NCAA will be sponsoring a Youth Education through Sport (YES) softball clinic prior to the first pitch of the championship game on Saturday, May 12th.
Student-Athletes and coaches participating schools in the MAAC, will be on hand to teach girls how to excel both on and off the diamond. Tips from the top coaches and student-athletes in the league will be presented through hands-on experience in skill sessions throughout the morning. YES clinic participants will discuss topics such as academics, goal-setting, developing mental skills, and transferring what they learn in sports to other areas of their lives. Each participant will receive a YES t-shirt, softball, water bottle, and printed material on softball skill development, nutrition, and academic topics.
Another clinic highlight is a session allowing parents the opportunity to discuss issues regarding youth sports with clinic staff. Topics relating to recruiting, eligibility, and financial aid requirements for collegiate student-athletes will be discussed.
Girls ages 10 to 18 are eligible to participate in the YES clinic and admission is free. Pre-registration is preferred, however a limited number of walk-up space is available. Registration will begin at 7:30 am on the Gartland Athletic Fields.
Please contact Chandra Bierwirth, Marist College Athletics' Senior Woman Administrator, at 845-575-3000 ext: 2463 for more registration information.
Each YES clinic participant and their family are encouraged to watch the conclusion of the 2001 MAAC Softball Championship, which will follow the clinic. Marist College, site of the conference tournament for the past four years, will be the number two seed in this year's tournament. The Red Foxes' road to the championship begins on Friday, May 11th at noon in the double-elimination contest at the Gartland Athletic Fields. The tournament will conclude on Saturday, with the consolation game at noon, followed by the championship game played at 2:00 p.m. and a game seven, if necessary, following at 4:00 p.m.
The YES program began during the 1985-86 season with clinics at the women's final four and the NCAA track and field championships. Since its inception, the NCAA's Youth Education through Sport program has reached an unprecedented level of popularity. In each year, YES clinics have grown to serve nearly 10,000 youth ages 10 through 18 who engage in fun and challenging sports-skill, life skills, and conditioning sessions.
