Syracuse and Tulane Youth Impact Programs Are Success Stories for Both Universities and the National Football League

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --  Riki Ellison, Chairman and Founder of the Youth Impact Program (YIP) and a three-time Super Bowl winner with the San Francisco 49ers announced that more than 200 YIP campers got to be a part of the Youth Impact Programs at Syracuse and Tulane Universities during the month of July.  "It was a thrill of a lifetime for these young men as they developed academic and athletic skills and making their dreams to attend a university come true," Ellison said.

A definitive report on this year's program entitled "National Football League Youth Impact Program, Final Report, 2010" details the programs and the accomplishments for 2010.  The report is now posted on the YIP web site at www.youthimpactprogram.org.  Extracts of the report and observations of this year's program follow.

Ellison is proud of the many achievements of this year's YIP campers to include the following observations and data points:

• This was the first time that many of the campers read a book.
• Their math skills improved as the math was taught using real life situations and assumptions.
• This was the first time that many of the YIP campers got to see and visit with professional football players.
• Improvements in listening skills were impressive.
• Other highlights detailed in the final YIP report include:  
  • 88% of the boys indicated that YIP has made them realize their lives can be better than expected.
  • There were statistically significant improvements in mathematic test scores and in the mastery of vocabulary.
  • Academically, the boys are now three to five months ahead of their peers that did not participate in a reading or other educational program.

Ellison is very proud of the strides this year's YIP campers made in terms of citizenship, scholarship and sportsmanship.  The YIP provides food, clothing, transportation, mathematics, language arts, football and life skills development to include Anger Management, Conflict Resolution, drug education and a spirit of fellowship.

One of the great experiences both Syracuse and Tulane YIP campers had was their visit to a NFL training camp.  Ellison characterized it this way: "Our young men got to see what it takes to be a professional football player in America's number 1 sport. The Buffalo Bills and the New Orleans Saints opened their doors and hearts to our young men from the inner city of each metropolitan area.  They were awed by learning about how hard work leads to success in life."

This was the first year for Syracuse University to host the Youth Impact Program.  

Henry Wildhack supervised the program this year and used 12 student athletes from Syracuse as assistants, mentors and counselors for the 75 campers.  This is the third year for the Tulane YIP program led by Lindsey Stineman.  The Tulane program had 125 campers that were mentored by 12 student athletes.  YIP invests in "at risk" below the poverty line young boys from 9 to 12 years old in a 4-week intense program, and this year used Tulane and Syracuse University facilities, staff and student athletes and local elementary teachers.

Ellison thanked the NFL Youth Football Fund for their continued support of the YIP.  He also thanked Mr. Russ Brandon, CEO of the Buffalo Bills, and the owner of the New Orleans Saints, Rita Benson LeBlanc and the student mentors at each university along with the Administrative staff that made this a lifetime remembrance for 200 kids.

Riki Ellison closed his remarks about this year's successful YIP program with a special thanks to Syracuse University, Tulane University, SMART TECH and the National Football League.  "The NFL has been a great supporter of the YIP program, and we are indebted to their support for more than 1,000 kids throughout the life of the Youth Impact Program."

Notes to media:

1. Riki Ellison is available for interviewing.  Call Barbara Maxwell at 703 299-0061 to arrange.
2. This year's YIP Report is located on the YIP web site www.youthimpactprogram.org and is a definitive report covering all aspects of this year's program.

SOURCE Youth Impact Program