Marquette's Inner-city Youth Program Recognized as Best in the Country Released: Mar. 3, 2005 The National Youth Sports Program (NYSP) at Marquette University has been honored with the Silvio O. Conte Award of Excellence for providing the best all-around programming among more than 200 colleges and universities across the country.  The award was given at the NYSP national workshop, held last month in Orlando, Florida. The Program NYSP aims to improve the health and physical fitness of young people. Currently in its twelfth year, the Marquette program targets 10-16 year old kids from low-income families and economically disadvantaged areas.  NYSP is an opportunity for these kids to earn and learn self respect through a program that features not only physical education, but reading, writing, math and science curriculum and alcohol and other drug prevention.   The program also teaches participants about personal health, nutrition and disease prevention; and talks to them about higher education, career opportunities, and job responsibilities. Six-hundred and twenty-five (625) kids participated in NYSP at Marquette in the summer of 2004. They received free medical exams, were served lunch and a snack every day, and were taught that good behavior reaps real rewards.  Miami Heat superstar and Marquette basketball alum Dwayne Wade reinforced that lesson with the help of Converse Inc. with the donation of nearly 300 pair of basketball shoes.  The shoes were given to students with perfect attendance who had demonstrated solid citizenship. "I was surprised and delighted when both boys came home with new shoes,” said Darlene Liston, a Milwaukee mother with two sons in the program. “There is no possible way I could have afforded anything like that; and to top it all off, I could not get my oldest to take them off because they were from Dwyane Wade.  He slept in them that night.” The Award The Silvio O. Conte Award of Excellence is named for the former Massachusetts Congressman who served in the House of Representatives from 1959 until he passed away in 1991.  Conte was an effective leader who believed the government had responsibilities to its citizens, especially the poor. "It is with great pride that I accept this award on behalf of the staff and participants of the NYSP at Marquette University.  It is truly a labor of love,” said activity director Matt McKinnon. “The award in itself is a great honor; however, the biggest reward is being able to witness first hand the growth and development of our staff and participants as they strive to become better citizens.” For more information on the Silvio O. Conte Award of Excellence or NYSP at Marquette , please contact Anne Broeker in the Office of Public Affairs at 414.288.6712 Office of Public Affairs Contacts Christopher Stolarski Media Relations Specialist Phone: (414) 288-1988 Send e-mail