SYRACUSE, NY - November 10, 2009

The Syracuse Department of Parks and Recreation became the latest sports organization to use the SUNY Youth Sports Institute's coaching education program, Youth Sports NY for its youth basketball coaches.

When asked about why he wanted Youth Sports NY to train Syracuse's coaches, Commissioner Pat Driscoll said, "The [Youth Sports NY] training program actually puts into perspective that coaches need to remember that they are coaching kids.  These kids are at an age where they are most impressionable and coaches need to be better mentors outside of sports." 

Commissioner Driscoll also noted that the Youth Sports NY training program helps to re-define winning while teaching coaches to infuse the lessons children learn from unsupervised play into their organized practices and games. This helps all participants to have a fond memory of playing youth sports. 
After attending the recent training, Driscoll stated that he felt that the Youth Sports NY training program was extremely useful for his basketball coaches. Driscoll is planning to have a training for his District 8 Little League coaches who use City facilities in the spring. 

If you or your organization would like to have your coaches trained like the Syracuse Department of Parks and Recreation, then please contact the SUNY Youth Sports Institute by phone at 877-828-8811 or by email at info@youthsportsny.org.  For information on a training in your area, please contact the Continuing Education Department of your nearest SUNY Community College