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April 16, 2005 Orlando, Fla. - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Women's Bowling Team not only bowled well in the NCAA Championships held in Orlando, FL from April 14-17, but they gave something back to the community as well. On Saturday morning Assistant Coach Doug Dukes and senior Ariel Givens helped more than 50 girls and boys from ages 10-18 learn bowling through the NCAA's Youth Education through Sports (YES) program. "It was a really nice event," said Givens, who is on her way with the team to compete for another National Title at the Intercollegiate Bowling Championships next week in Rockford, Ill. She is also the only UMES bowler who will compete in May in Milwaukee, Wis. for the National Singles Title. "It gives [the players and coaches] a chance to teach youth about bowling, but it isn't just about bowling, it teaches life skills and helps keep the kids on the right track. It is a really great program," she added. The clinic, which included a player and coach from each of the eight schools at the Championships and six other NCAA bowling schools, including four from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), was a huge success according to Dukes. "It went well," he said. "It was a challenge teaching a child who had never even picked up a bowling ball, but more importantly the youth learned some valuable information and had someone spend time with them, teaching them and giving individual attention." The program is free to youth and entries are taken on a first come first serve basis. Each clinic, held in conjunction with an NCAA event, includes instructional sessions, conditioning sessions, like skills lessons, and a parent's session. It has been in existence since 1985 and conducted clinics serving more than 15,000 young people in 17 different sports. The YES Program is "unique" because it promotes volunteerism and community service among community members, local youth coaches, and nationally recognized collegiate coaches and student-athletes who are dedicated to teaching and caring for youth. At the same time, the program promotes awareness of the NCAA and NCAA national championships events. The program promotes the six attributes prioritized by the NCAA as forming the essence of the Association-fair play, character, learning, balance, spirit and community.
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