SPORTS PROGRAMS FOR AREA YOUTHS TO BEGIN NEXT WEEK

Old Dominion University received two $45,000 grants from the National Collegiate Athletic Association to sponsor two five-week youth sports programs for economically disadvantaged youths in both Norfolk and Virginia Beach this summer.

The program at the Old Dominion Norfolk campus will begin June 19 and run from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each weekday, through July 21. The Virginia Beach program will run each weekday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 26 to July 28 at Princess Anne Park, near the university's Virginia Beach Higher Education Center.

Offered to youths ages 10-16, the program will teach sports skills by certified physical education teachers and coaches. It also features an enrichment program that includes drug and alcohol education, nutrition education, career planning and computer skill development.

The sports program will offer instruction in tennis, swimming, volleyball, basketball, flag football, track and field, badminton, soccer, golf, orienteering and cooperative games.

About 400 children will be involved in the program each day (approximately 200 at each site). Bob Case, assistant professor of exercise science, physical education and recreation at Old Dominion and project administrator for the program, estimates that 20,000 meals will be served throughout the two five-week sessions. There is no cost to the participants.

"The National Youth Sports Program provides outreach and community relations opportunities for Old Dominion with economically disadvantaged youth in Norfolk and Virginia Beach," Case said. "As a state university, it is part of our mission to serve all the citizens of Virginia regardless of economic status."

Three other universities in Virginia � Norfolk State, Hampton and Virginia Commonwealth -- also offer this program.

For more information about the programs, call Jamie Shackleford at 683-4353.