By Clay Walker | Executive Director
Before they were competing for championships at the NCAA level, many of Carolina’s student-athletes, coaches and staff members began their careers in youth sports – learning sportsmanship, teamwork and leadership skills that will ultimately make them champions in and outside of athletic competition.
That’s why the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Department of Athletics is proud to become the first NCAA Institution to partner with the National Fitness Foundation (NFF) to support and expand youth sport and athletics participation across the United States.
With support from the University, UNC Health and the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Carolina Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham, Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz and members of the NFF announced the partnership during a virtual event on November 18, then signed the American Youth Sports Pledge. The event was streamed on GoHeels.com and Facebook Live. Each of Carolina’s 22 head coaches also signed the pledge in recognition of a “National Signing Day” for youth sports.
“As our nation’s oldest public University with one of the most extensive athletic programs in the country, Carolina is proud to become the first NCAA program to support the National Fitness Foundation in this endeavor,” said UNC Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz. “Carolina reflects our state and we are deeply invested in the health and well-being of our children. I have seen the impact of sports in my own life, and I know that this partnership will have an impact on young people from our state and across our nation.
The National Youth Sports Strategy is a comprehensive physical activity plan for American youth created by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion and the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition.
Throughout the virtual event, Carolina coaches, staff – and fans -- shared photos of their participation in youth sports with the hashtag, #UNC4YouthSports.
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