Teen writers and student athletes from sixteen different NYC schools—and one home-schooled student—wrote award-winning essays on the topic, “What role does sportsmanship play in youth sports?” in the contest presented by New York Sports Connection, the hub for youth sports in NYC.

New York, NY -- (ReleaseWire) -- 05/26/2016 -- The "future of sports is in good hands," based on the winning essays, says Olympic silver medal fencer Tim Morehouse, a judge of the 2016 Sportsmanship Essay Contest presented by New York Sports Connection. Morehouse and fellow judges Craig Carton, the WFAN Radio sports-talk host, and Kym Hampton, a former WNBA NY Liberty basketball player, chose four winners and eight finalists in four grade categories in the second-annual contest. The sportsmanship essays were judged anonymously for their originality, emotional appeal, use of the theme, and writing skills appropriate for the author's grade.

Winners and finalists hail from sixteen different schools (plus one home school) in the City. Winning authors earn prizes valued at $500 in cash and Modell's Sporting Goods gift certificates, while finalists receive cash and gift certificates totaling $100. The contest is presented by New York Sports Connection (NYSC), the online clearinghouse for youth sports programs and information in NYC, with the support of Modell's, the contest sponsor.

The essay contest, for NYC residents age 12 through 18, called for young authors to create a 400- to 500-word essay around the theme, "What role does sportsmanship play in youth sports?" It attracted teen writers from across the City, with winners and finalists at schools in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens. "New York Sports Connection is thrilled that the essay contest has become an integral part of the youth sports calendar in NYC," says NYSC founder Aaron Finkel, himself the father of two teenaged athletes.

"To read so many columns of first-person experiences from young people recognizing the importance and benefits of being a good sport was inspiring," says Carton, co-host of the Boomer and Carton In The Morning show with Boomer Esiason on WFAN Radio. "The lessons these kids have learned on the court, the field, the track and, in some cases, the woods, has taught all of them the value of sportsmanship and great leadership. In addition, great leadership from coaches and parents alike will serve them for a very long time.If this is a small piece of what today's kids are growing up to become, then the world will be in a very good place with these future leaders setting the pace for the next generation."

Hampton was equally impressed with the quality of the submissions. "As a former professional basketball player, it was an honor to have the opportunity to read what these student athletes had to say about sportsmanship. Not only were the stories great, clearly each student understands the importance of sportsmanship on and off the playing field/court."

"I was extremely impressed with the maturity expressed by the athletes in their essays," Morehouse adds. "Their dedication to the very essence and purity of Sportsmanship will not only make them better people, but also undoubtedly makes youth sports better. I very much enjoyed being a part of this contest and feel confident that the future of sports is in good hands."

The winning essays, finalists and honorable mentions are published on the New York Sports Connection website. Winners and finalists in the contest's four grade categories are:

6th & 7th Grade

Winner: Brazen Van Horn, 6th grader – home schooled (Brooklyn)

Finalists: Joseph Boniello, 6th grader at St. Luke School (Queens) and Aidan Dolinsky, 7th grader at Hunter College High School (Manhattan)

Honorable Mention: Sophie Divilek, 7th grader at Riverdale Country School (Bronx) and Jamie Gall, 7th grader at Trevor Day

8th & 9th Grade

Winner: Baird Johnson, 8th grader at Robert Wagner Middle School (Manhattan)

Finalists: Thomas Knoff Jr., 9th grader at Xavier High School (Manhattan) and Anna Lanzman, 9th grader at Stuyvesant High School (Manhattan)

Honorable Mention: Jeremy Weine, 8th grader at MS 447 (Brooklyn) and Kathleen Staunton, 9th grader at the Marymount School of New York (Manhattan)

10th Grade

Winner: Billy Lehrman, 10th grader at Horace Mann (Bronx)

Finalists: Melina Asteriadis, 10th grader at Bronx HS of Science (Bronx) and Kelly Luo, 10th grader at Stuyvesant HS (Manhattan)

Honorable Mention: Kenneth van der Lande, 10th grader at The Beacon School (Manhattan), Vanessa Miranda, 10th grader at the Laboratory School of Finance and Technology (Bronx), and Oscar Garcia, 10th grader at the Business of Sports School (Manhattan)

11th & 12th Grade

Winner: Emily Hirtle, 12th grader at Stuyvesant HS (Manhattan)

Finalists: Danielle Black, 11th grader at The Dalton School (Manhattan) and Adryan Barlia, 12th grader at The Beacon School (Manhattan)

Honorable Mention: Ava DeMayo, 11th grader at Frank McCourt HS (Manhattan)

About NewYorkSportsConnection.com
Founded by a Manhattan father of two young athletes, NewYorkSportsConnection.com is the most comprehensive interactive resource for families and youth sports organizations in New York City. Users can search for information on sports leagues, teams, classes and activities, ask questions of others in the community, and read pertinent content on the local sports community. The site's Weekly Sports Alert email keeps members up-to-date on upcoming deadlines for tryouts, sign-up/registration periods, clinics, camps and other sports-related events.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

April 30 is the deadline for writers age 12 - 18 to enter New York Sport Connection's second-annual Sportsmanship Essay Contest, which aims to promote fair play among the City's young athletes. Writers in several age groups will win prizes valued at up to $500 for the best essays.

New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/15/2016 -- Teen writers in New York City have just over two weeks remaining to submit their original essays on sportsmanship to NewYorkSportsConnection.com to beat the April 30 deadline. The local web-based clearinghouse for youth sports resources in NYC is sponsoring its second-annual essay contest to encourage middle- and high-school students to learn about and promote the values of sportsmanship and fair play in youth sports. Winners in each age-group category will receive cash and/or prizes valued at up to $500. Finalists will also be recognized.

Winners will be chosen by a panel of judges that includes WFAN Radio personality Craig Carton; WNBA pioneer Kym Hampton, a former center with the New York Liberty; and fencer Tim Morehouse, a silver medal winner at the Beijing Olympics. This year's contest is presented with support from Modell's Sporting Goods.

To enter the contest, a student must be a legal resident of one of the five boroughs of New York City, and between 12 and 18 years of age by the entry deadline. Students must write and submit an original essay of between 400 and 500 words. The topic for this year's contest is "What Role Does Sportsmanship Play in Youth Sports?" Authors should include their definition of sportsmanship and are encouraged to share a true story of good sportsmanship that they observed or were a part of.

Entries may be submitted at https://www.newyorksportsconnection.com/nysc-essay-contest until midnight, Eastern time on April 30, 2016. There is no fee to enter. Work must be 100% original, never before published, and not entered in any previous contest. Entries will be judged on emotional impact, use of the theme, grammar and spelling, and writing skills appropriate for the author's grade.

"Last year was our first time doing an essay contest and we were overwhelmed by the number of essays we received. The judges and I were extremely impressed by the quality of the writing and the emotion expressed by the authors," says Aaron Finkel, founder of New York Sports Connection. "We received entries from student athletes in every borough, and this year are hoping to get even more kids involved," says Finkel.

About NewYorkSportsConnection.com
Founded by a Manhattan father of two young athletes, NewYorkSportsConnection.com is the most comprehensive interactive resource for families and youth sports organizations in New York City. Users can search for information on sports leagues, teams, classes and activities, ask questions of others in the community, and read pertinent content on the local sports community. The site's Weekly Sports Alert email keeps members up-to-date on upcoming deadlines for tryouts, sign-up/registration periods, clinics, camps and other sports-related events.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Modell's Sporting Goods is helping New York Sports Connection promote sportsmanship in youth sports as a sponsor of NYSC's student essay contest. The second-annual contest invites young writers across New York City to answer the question, “What Role Does Sportsmanship Play in Youth Sports?"

New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/08/2016 -- A youth essay contest celebrating sportsmanship in New York City today announced support from Modell's, the sporting goods chain that got its start in New York City over 127 years ago. Modell's is America's oldest family-owned retailer of sporting goods, with over 150 locations throughout the Northeast.

"Modell's Sporting Goods is happy to be working with New York Sports Connection and proud to be a supporter of a contest that promotes sportsmanship among NYC Youth," says Modell's Assistant Marketing Manager, Julia Pantalone.

New York Sports Connection (NYSC) is a local web-based clearinghouse for youth sports resources in New York City. "New York Sports Connection is excited to have Modell's with us as a partner for this year's essay contest," says Aaron Finkel, NYSC's founder and the parent of two teenaged athletes. "Modell's is generously providing gift certificates for the winners and runners-up of our contest," says Finkel, noting that the company's support of many youth sports activities across NYC make it a natural fit as a sponsor.

Now in its second year, the New York Sports Connection student essay contest is open to City residents who are between 12 and 18 years of age by the entry deadline of April 30, 2016. This year, young writers are invited to share their thoughts on the theme, "What Role Does Sportsmanship Play in Youth Sports?" Complete rules are available at https://www.newyorksportsconnection.com/nysc-essay-contest.

"We were so pleased with the entries we received during our 2015 contest," says Finkel, a resident of Manhattan. "We got entries from all five boroughs, and we had winners and finalists from over a dozen different schools. It was evident from the kids' essays that sportsmanship does enhance the youth sports experience, and gives young athletes an ethical framework they can use for the rest of their lives."

About Modell's Sporting Goods
Founded in 1889, Modell's Sporting Goods is the local family sporting goods destination that provides a convenient and compelling shopping experience for the athlete and fan in all of us. Modell's offers customers an assortment of top brands in sporting goods equipment, footwear, team apparel and active apparel for every level of play yea-round. The retailer operates 150+ stores located in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. In addition, www.modells.com is a diverse website which services customers all over the country, filling all of their needs regardless of their residence.

About NewYorkSportsConnection.com
Founded by a Manhattan father of two, NewYorkSportsConnection.com is the premier interactive resource for families and youth sports organizations in New York City. Users can search for information on sports leagues, teams, classes and activities, ask questions of others in the community and read pertinent content on the local sports community. The site's Weekly Sports Alert email keeps members up-to-date on upcoming deadlines for tryouts, sign-up/registration periods, clinics, camps and other sports-related events.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

New York Sports Connection's second-annual youth essay contest asks NYC kids to answer the question, “What Role Does Sportsmanship Play in Youth Sports?" Two New York sports legends—both of whom started their careers in their teens—will join a top-ranked national sports talk show host to help judge submissions.

New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/06/2016 -- A sportsmanship essay contest for New York City students has added an Olympic silver medalist and a women's professional basketball legend to its judging panel for 2016. New York Sports Connection today announced that fencer Tim Morehouse and Kym Hampton, a former center with the WNBA's New York Liberty, have joined WFAN Radio personality Craig Carton on the panel.

The trio will help judge sportsmanship essays submitted by 12- to 18-year-olds from across the City, notes Aaron Finkel, the founder of NewYorkSportsConnection.com. The NewYorkSportsConnection.com essay contest, now in its second year, encourages young residents of NYC to submit original essays on the theme, "What Role Does Sportsmanship Play in Youth Sports?" The contest deadline is April 30, and complete rules are available at http://www.NewYorkSportsConnection.com.

We are so pleased to welcome Kym and Tim to the panel," says Finkel. "They both started their careers as teen athletes, and they share a commitment to winning the right way—through hard work, superior performance and fair play."

A legend in women's professional basketball, in 1997 Kym Hampton tipped off the first-ever WNBA game in history, playing for The New York Liberty against the Los Angeles Sparks' Lisa Leslie. Hampton was the fourth pick overall in the first round of the WNBA Elite Draft, in The Liberty's first season. Although she retired from professional basketball in 2000 after a 15-year professional basketball career that had taken her all over the world, Hampton is still active as a community ambassador and spokesperson for The Liberty.

Hampton is no stranger to youth sports. She was a state track champion at Iroquois High School in Louisville, Kentucky, and was the starting center on both Kentucky All-Star and Kentucky East/West All-Star girls basketball teams. "Sports and Athletics is more than a game," she explains. "I applaud New York Sports Connection for challenging young athletes mentally as well as physically. I am excited to be a part of this program, and am looking forward to reading the essays."

A native of New York City, and a fencer since the age of 13, Tim Morehouse won the Silver Medal at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. It was one of three Olympic appearances for the sabre fencer. He is also a two-time individual U.S. National Champion, and winner of seven World Cup medals during his competitive career. "As youth sports continues to grow in America, I'm so honored to be a part of New York Sport's Connection's essay competition, which shines a spotlight on the importance of sportsmanship," says Morehouse. Sportsmanship is deeply ingrained in fencing, where each bout begins with a salute to ones' opponent and ends with a bare-handed handshake.

Morehouse is the founder of Fencing in the Schools, a non-profit organization dedicated to lluminating the potential of children through the sport of fencing. "When I started, I thought I was just playing a sport, but...while I was working on turning on the scoring light, I was also turning on my internal light," he explains on his website. The organization's mission is to help young people become "engaged, active, confident adults who can set goals and exceed them, lead a team, and have a positive impact on the world."

"Craig Carton is returning for his second year as a judge for the essay contest, which celebrates sportsmanship among NYC's thousands of young athletes," says Finkel. "As someone who has worked hard to help promote and develop youth sports in New York City, we really appreciate his returning to judge sportsmanship essays for another year."

Since 2007, Carton has co-hosted the Boomer and Carton In The Morning show with Boomer Esiason on WFAN Radio, a top-rated sports talk show in NYC that is heard nationally on the CBS Sports Network. Talkers Magazine has named Carton one of the top 100 "Most Important and Influential" talk show hosts in the U.S. for three straight years, and he is a former Radio and Records Talk Show Host of the Year.

Carton is also the founder and director of TicTocStop, a foundation that funds medical research for children and adults with Tourette's Syndrome. Carton was diagnosed with the neurological disorder as a teenager, and two of his four children also have Tourette's—a disorder that causes involuntary movements and vocalizations called "tics." The foundation also runs Camp Carton, a sleep away camp for kids with Tourette's.

About The Essay Contest
The New York Sports Connection essay contest is open to New York City residents who are between twelve and 18 years of age by the entry deadline of April 30, 2016. Young people are asked to write a 400-500 word essay inspired by the theme, "What Role Does Sportsmanship Play in Youth Sports?" More information and complete rules are available at NewYorkSportsConnection.com. The second-annual contest is presented with support from Modell's Sporting Goods.

About NewYorkSportsConnection.com
Founded by a Manhattan father of two teenaged athletes, NewYorkSportsConnection.com is the premier interactive resource for families and youth sports organizations in New York City. Users can search for information on sports leagues, teams, classes and activities, ask questions of others in the community and read pertinent content on the local sports community. The site's Weekly Sports Alert email keeps members up-to-date on upcoming deadlines for tryouts, sign-up/registration periods, clinics, camps and other sports-related events.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

NewYorkSportsConnection.com aims to promote fair play among New York City's young athletes by encouraging students to create original essays about sportsmanship.

New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/04/2016 -- NewYorkSportsConnection.com, a local web-based clearinghouse for youth sports resources in New York City, is sponsoring its second-annual essay contest to encourage middle- and high-school students to learn about and promote the values of sportsmanship and fair play. The contest launched March 1 and will end on April 30, 2016. Winning essays will be chosen by a panel of judges, and announced approximately two weeks later, depending on the number of entries received. Winning entries in each age-group category will receive cash and/or prizes totaling $500. This year's contest is presented with support from Modell's Sporting Goods.

To enter the contest, a student must be a legal resident of one of the five boroughs of New York City, and between 12 and 18 years of age by the entry deadline. Students must write and submit an original essay of between 400 and 500 words. The topic for this year's contest is "What Role Does Sportsmanship Play in Youth Sports." Authors should include their definition of sportsmanship and are encouraged to share a true story of good sportsmanship that they observed or were a part of.

Entries may be submitted at https://www.newyorksportsconnection.com/nysc-essay-contest until midnight, Eastern time on April 30, 2016. There is no fee to enter. Work must be 100% original, never before published, and not entered in any previous contest. Entries will be judged on emotional impact, use of the theme, grammar and spelling, and writing skills appropriate for the author's grade.

"Last year was our first time doing an essay contest and we were overwhelmed by the number of essays we received. The judges and I were extremely impressed by the quality of the writing and the emotion expressed by the authors," says Aaron Finkel, founder of New York Sports Connection. "We received entries from student athletes in every borough, and this year are hoping to get even more kids involved," says Finkel.

Joining the judging panel for 2016 are Olympic fencer Tim Morehouse, and Kym Hampton, a former center with the WNBA's New York Liberty and a current Community Ambassador for the team.

Morehouse, a New York City native, won the Silver Medal at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. He is a three-time Olympic team member and and two-time individual U.S. national champion. "As youth sports continues to grow in America, I'm so honored to be a part of New York Sport's Connection's essay competition, which shines a spotlight on the importance of sportsmanship," says Morehouse.

A state track champion in high school, and a college basketball standout, Kym Hampton played professional basketball in Europe and Japan for over a decade after college. Returning to the U.S. in 1997, Hampton was drafted in the first round of the WNBA Elite Draft, the fourth pick overall, by the New York Liberty in the team's inaugural season. She and the Los Angeles Sparks' Lisa Leslie tipped off the first-ever WNBA game on June 21st, 1997. Hampton went on to play three seasons as a center for the Liberty before retiring with knee problems in 2000.

Returning to the panel is Craig Carton, co-host of the Boomer and Carton show on WFAN Radio, and founder and director of TicTocStop, a foundation that funds medical research for children and adults with Tourette's Syndrome.

Over $2,800 in prize money was awarded to twelve winners and finalists of the 2015 edition of the contest. In-kind and cash sponsorship opportunities are still available for sponsors that wish to align themselves with educational excellence, sportsmanship and youth sports in New York City. Sponsors may receive exposure online, in public relations materials, and in an e-book of winning entries. Custom sponsorship packages are also available.

For more information about supporting sportsmanship in student athletics with a cash or merchandise sponsorship, contact Aaron Finkel at aaron@newyorksportsconnection.com.

About NewYorkSportsConnection.com
Founded by a Manhattan father of two young athletes, NewYorkSportsConnection.com is the most comprehensive interactive resource for families and youth sports organizations in New York City. Users can search for information on sports leagues, teams, classes and activities, ask questions of others in the community, and read pertinent content on the local sports community. The site's Weekly Sports Alert email keeps members up-to-date on upcoming deadlines for tryouts, sign-up/registration periods, clinics, camps and other sports-related events.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

New York Sports Connection's celebrity judging panel recognizes four winners and eight finalists from ten different private and public schools in its first annual New York City student sportsmanship essay contest.

New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/25/2015 -- New York Sports Connection, the hub for youth sports information in New York City, today announced the winners of its 2015 essay contest, "What Sportsmanship Means to Me." Four top prizes of $500 each will be presented, and eight finalists will also receive $100 each in prize money.

The best essays were chosen in four categories, which were determined by the number of entries received from each grade level. Ginger Mullen, a twelve-year-old student at Middle School 447, wrote the-winning essay in the Sixth & Seventh Grade category. Eighth Grade category winner Mary Kate McGranahan, 14, is a student at Saint Ignatius Loyola. The best essay in the Ninth & 10th Grade category was written by Dani Bergman Chudnow, a 15-year-old student at Eleanor Roosevelt High School. Sifan Lu, 17, attends Stuyvesant High School and was named the winner of the 11th & 12th Grade category. The top essays, finalists and honorable mentions will be published in an eBook that will be available on NewYorkSportsConnection.com.

John Franco, a former relief pitcher and team captain of the New York Mets, said, "It was an honor to help judge New York Sports Connections' First Annual Youth Essay Contest. The essays submitted by the finalists showed a level of maturity way beyond their years, and were a testament to the amazing work done by parents, coaches, and volunteers to ensure that our kids' youth sports experience teaches real life lessons."

Students wrote original 400-500-word essays on the topic "What Sportsmanship Means to Me," which were anonymously judged on the basis of originality, emotional appeal, use of the theme, grammar and spelling, and writing skills appropriate for the author's age. The contest was open to New York City residents ages 12 through 18. Entries were received from every borough, and the finalists hailed from ten different New York City public and private schools. New York Sports Connection founder, Aaron Finkel, said, "We were overwhelmed by the response, and impressed by the wonderful quality of the many essays we received."

The celebrity judging panel included Dr. Richard Park, the CEO of CityMD Urgent Care, the contest's sponsor; along with WFAN sports talk personality Craig Carton; Franco, a partner of NYC All Star Sports Group; Mike Puma, a sportswriter with the New York Post; and Luis Fernando Llosa, co-author of Beyond Winning, co-founder of http://www.WholeChildSports.com and a former Sports Illustrated associate editor.

Carton commented, "As cliche as this may sound, all of the finalists are winners and show an amazing understanding and passion for sportsmanship....All of these kids/young adults should be commended for their essays and they personally should be viewed as ambassadors for sportsmanship throughout NYC." Puma added, "These students certainly grasp the meaning of 'sportsmanship' and told their stories in a colorful and captivating manner."

The complete list of winners and finalists follows:

Category: Sixth & Seventh Grade

Winner: Ginger Mullen, age 12, a sixth-grader at Middle School 447 ($500)
Finalist: Aliza Hacking, 12, a sixth-grader at MS 54 Booker T. Washington (Delta) ($100)
Finalist: Mathias Zawoiski, 12, a seventh-grader at PS/IS 187 ($100)
Honorable Mention: Tessa Wayne, 13, a seventh-grader at Columbia Grammar Prep School

Category: Eighth Grade

Winner: Mary Kate McGranahan, age 14, Saint Ignatius Loyola ($500)
Finalist: Julianna Fabrizio, 13, NYC Lab Middle School ($100)
Finalist: Isabel Stern, 14, The Brearley School ($100)
Honorable Mention: Julie Jastremski, 13, Notre Dame Academy
Honorable Mention: Jordan Jaffe, 13, East Side Middle School

Category: Ninth & 10th Grade

Winner: Dani Bergman Chudnow, age 15, a 10th-grader at Eleanor Roosevelt High School ($500)
Finalist: Eyob Ford, 16, a 10th-grader at Churchill School and Center ($100)
Finalist: Jennifer Yu, 15, a 9th-grader at Stuyvesant High School ($100)
Honorable Mention: Eliza Paradise, 16, a 10th-grader at Hunter College High School

Category: 11th & 12th Grade

Winner: Sifan Lu, age 17, a 12th-grader at Stuyvesant High School ($500)
Finalist: Connor Mulvena, 16, an 11th-grader at Xavier High School ($100)
Finalst: Michael Bivona, 17, an 11th-grader at Xavier High School ($100)
Honorable Mention: Paul Gargiulo, 16, an 11th-grader at Xavier High School
Honorable Mention: Charlotte Youkilis, 17, an 11th-grader at The Packer Collegiate Institute
Honorable Mention: Emily Hirtle, 16, an 11th-grader at Stuyvesant High School

About New York Sports Connection
New York Sports Connection is the premier online resource for families and youth sports organizations in New York City. At NewYorkSportsConnection.com, registered users can search for information on sports leagues, teams, classes and activities, and read the latest news about the local sports community. The site's Weekly Sports Alert email keeps members up-to-date on upcoming deadlines for tryouts, sign-up/registration periods, clinics, camps and other sports-related events.

About CityMD Urgent Care
CityMD has 39 offices throughout New York City, Long Island, Westchester, and the Palisades. CityMD employs expert staff including medical assistants and technicians along with board-certified physicians who are highly trained in treating a wide variety of illnesses and injuries. Locations are open 365 days a year, welcome walk-ins for both adult and pediatric care and accept most major health insurances. For more information on CityMD and a list of locations, please visit www.CityMD.net.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Teen writers in NYC are reminded that the entry deadline for New York Sports Connection's essay contest is 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, April 30, 2015. A panel of judges — including WFAN radio personality Craig Carton and former New York Mets relief pitcher John Franco — will award top prizes of $500 for the best sportsmanship essays in several age groups.

New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/23/2015 -- Thursday, April 30th is the deadline to enter to win up to $500 in New York Sports Connection's first annual teen essay contest, announced the contest sponsor. Aaron Finkel, its founder, noted, "We've received entries from many parts of the City, but we would love to have participation from all five boroughs. Our goal with the contest is to promote sportsmanship in youth sports, so naturally we want to take that message into every neighborhood."

The essay contest is open to residents of The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island who are between twelve and 18 years of age as of the entry deadline. "We are hoping to uncover and celebrate true stories of sportsmanship throughout the City, but that's not a requirement," Finkel explains. "To enter, young people simply have to write an original essay of between 400 and 500 words based on the theme, "what sportsmanship means to me."

A panel of judges including WFAN radio personality Craig Carton and former New York Mets relief pitcher John Franco of NYC All Star Sports Group will award top prizes of $500 for the best sportsmanship essays in several age groups. "Those of us on the judging panel will be looking at the writer's use of the theme, the emotional impact of their essay, and the quality of the writing itself—including mechanics like grammar and spelling," notes Finkel.

Instructions and complete rules are available at NewYorkSportsConnection.com.

Finkel's website, NewYorkSportsConnection.com, is a clearinghouse for youth sports information in New York City, offering registered members reminders about registration deadlines and try-outs, plus details about the many teams, camps and sports clinics available to young athletes. "As a father of two teenaged athletes myself, I want to do everything I can to promote fair play and good sportsmanship," says Finkel. "The essay contest—and the collection of essays we hope to publish—aims to showcase athletes who do the right thing, and play with class—win or lose."

CityMD, an urgent care provider with offices throughout the five boroughs and the metro area, is a Supporting Sponsor of the contest.

About New York Sports Connection
New York Sports Connection is the premier online resource for families and youth sports organizations in New York City. At NewYorkSportsConnection.com, users can search for information on sports leagues, teams, classes and activities, interact with others in the site's online forum, and read the latest news about the local sports community. The site's free Weekly Sports Alert email keeps members up-to-date on upcoming deadlines for tryouts, sign-up/registration periods, clinics, camps and other sports-related events.

About Craig Carton
In addition to hosting the Boomer and Carton show on WFAN, Carton is also the founder and director of TicTocStop, a foundation that funds medical research for children and adults who have Tourette's Syndrome. The foundation also runs Camp Carton, a sleep away camp for kids with Tourette's.

About John Franco
Four-time All Star pitcher John Franco was inducted into the New York Mets Hall of Fame in 2012. He is also a partner in NYC All Star Sports Group (NYC ASG), which he co-founded with Carton and Brooklyn Cyclones Assistant General Manager Gary Perone. A marketing and events company dedicated to building sports in the five boroughs, NYC ASG is responsible for several initiatives, including the Borough Cup baseball tournament, which New York Sports Connection supported in its inaugural year.

About CityMD Urgent Care
CityMD has 39 offices throughout New York City, Long Island, Westchester, and the Palisades. CityMD employs expert staff including medical assistants and technicians along with board-certified physicians who are highly trained in treating a wide variety of illnesses and injuries. Locations are open 365 days a year, welcome walk-ins for both adult and pediatric care and accept most major health insurances.

For more information on CityMD and a list of locations, please visit http://www.CityMD.net

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

The first annual sportsmanship essay contest presented by New York Sports Connection will award top prizes of $500 for the best teen writers in New York City ages 12 through 18 who describe what sportsmanship means to them.

New York, NY -- (ReleaseWire) -- 04/10/2015 -- New York Sports Connection announced the addition of two celebrity judges to the panel that will choose the winners of its 2015 Teen Sportsmanship Essay Contest: WFAN Radio personality Craig Carton—named by Talkers Magazine as one of the most important and influential sports talk show hosts in America; and John Franco, former New York Mets relief pitcher and team captain, still credited with the most career saves by a left-hander in Major League Baseball history.

The essay contest is open to New York City residents who are between twelve and 18 years of age by the entry deadline of April 30, 2015. Young authors are asked to write a 400-500 word essay on "What sportsmanship means to me." More information and complete rules are available at NewYorkSportsConnection.com/2015-essay-contest. CityMD, an urgent care provider with offices throughout the five boroughs and the metro area, is a Supporting Sponsor of the contest.

In addition to hosting the Boomer and Carton show on WFAN, Carton is also the founder and director of TicTocStop, a foundation that funds medical research for children and adults who have Tourette's Syndrome. The foundation also runs Camp Carton, a sleep away camp for kids with Tourette's.

Four-time All Star pitcher John Franco was inducted into the New York Mets Hall of Fame in 2012. He is also a partner in NYC All Star Sports Group (NYC ASG), which he co-founded with Carton and Brooklyn Cyclones Assistant General Manager Gary Perone. A marketing and events company dedicated to building sports in the five boroughs, NYC ASG is responsible for several initiatives, including the Borough Cup baseball tournament, which New York Sports Connection supported in its inaugural year.

"Craig and John have both been working hard to help develop youth athletics in New York City and in doing so have been promoting sportsmanship and fair play," says Aaron Finkel, founder of New York Sports Connection, a local web-based clearinghouse for youth sports resources in New York City. "We're honored that they both see the value in our contest and are willing to serve as judges," he adds.

"New York City is the greatest sports town in the world," says Finkel, a Manhattan resident who is the father of two young athletes. "But too often, it's the players behaving badly who get all the attention. With our essay contest, we want to promote virtues like fair play, self-control, and respect for others, and celebrate stories of good sportsmanship among young people in Brooklyn, The Bronx, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island."

About New York Sports Connection
Founded by a Manhattan father of two, New York Sports Connection is the premier online resource for families and youth sports organizations in New York City. At NewYorkSportsConnection.com, registered users can search for information on sports leagues, teams, classes and activities, interact with others in the site's online forum, and read the latest news about the local sports community. The site's Weekly Sports Alert email keeps members up-to-date on upcoming deadlines for tryouts, sign-up/registration periods, clinics, camps and other sports-related events.

About CityMD Urgent Care
CityMD has 39 offices throughout New York City, Long Island, Westchester, and the Palisades. CityMD employs expert staff including medical assistants and technicians along with board-certified physicians who are highly trained in treating a wide variety of illnesses and injuries. Locations are open 365 days a year, welcome walk-ins for both adult and pediatric care and accept most major health insurances. For more information on CityMD and a list of locations, please visit www.CityMD.net.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

New York, NY -- (ReleaseWire) -- 03/27/2015 -- New York Sports Connection, a local web-based hub for youth sports in New York City, has raised $1,200 of its $2,495 Indiegogo goal to present a sportsmanship essay contest for City youth ages 12 through 18. The campaign runs through April 9, 2015. The student essay contest will encourage young people to learn about and promote the values of sportsmanship and fair play.

Funds raised through the Indiegogo campaign will be used as prize money for the winning entries, and to administer and promote the contest to City residents. "Our goal is to present $500 prizes for the best essay in several age groups," says New York Sports Connection's founder, Aaron Finkel, of Manhattan. "We're very pleased that we have fully funded two prizes and we're on our way to a third."

In exchange for their donation, supporters may receive "perks" such as stickers, t-shirts, or an electronic copy of the entries in eBook format. If the project hits its "stretch" goal of $5,000, supporters may receive items such as a sweatshirt, a hard-copy book of the essays, and other perks to be announced, depending on the amount of their donation, and New York Sports Connection may be able to present cash prizes to finalists as well. Donations are being accepted at Indiegogo.com

"It seems as though many young athletes are overly concerned with winning at all costs," says Finkel, who was inspired to launch New York Sports Connection when he missed the sign-up date for a sports program that his son wanted to join. "As a father myself, I want to teach my kids about the importance of being a good sport. We're excited to use the essay contest as a way to promote the value of sportsmanship among student athletes throughout the five boroughs."

To enter the contest, a writer must be between 12 and 18 years of age, and a legal resident of New York City. Essays must be between 400 and 500 words in length, and composed entirely by the student. "Having your mom write your sportsmanship essay would definitely not be an example of good sportsmanship," Finkel laughs. The essays will be judged by a panel of experts to be announced. Prizes will depend on the amount of money raised in the Indiegogo campaign and the number of winning entries in each category. Entries are being accepted at http://www.newyorksportsconnection.com/2015-essay-contest through April 30, 2015. The contest is presented with support from CityMD Urgent Care.

Says Finkel, "I think it's especially important in youth sports for kids to understand the importance of treating others with kindness and respect...of winning without gloating and losing without sour grapes. These are skills they will use throughout their lives, not just in sports."

About NewYorkSportsConnection.com
New York Sports Connection is an interactive resource for families and youth sports organizations in New York City. Users can search http://www.newyorksportsconnection.com for information on sports leagues, teams, classes and activities, ask questions of others in the community and read pertinent content on the local sports community. The site's Weekly Sports Alert email keeps users up-to-date on upcoming deadlines for tryouts, sign-up/registration periods, clinics, camps and other sports-related events.

About CityMD Urgent Care
CityMD has 39 offices throughout New York City, Long Island, Westchester, and the Palisades. CityMD employs expert staff including medical assistants and technicians along with board-certified physicians who are highly trained in treating a wide variety of illnesses and injuries. Locations are open 365 days a year, welcome walk-ins for both adult and pediatric care and accept most major health insurances.

For more information on CityMD and a list of locations, please visit http://www.CityMD.net

About Indiegogo.com
Indiegogo.com is the world's largest crowd-funding platform, attracting millions of contributors. At any given time, there are over 7,000 active campaigns on the site, which has launched over 275,000 campaigns since its founding in 2008.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

City residents age twelve through 18 are encouraged to write a 400 to 500-word essay about what sportsmanship means to them. The best essay or essays will receive the top prize of $500.

New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/20/2015 -- NewYorkSportsConnection.com, a local web-based clearinghouse for youth sports resources in New York City, is sponsoring an essay contest to encourage middle- and high-school students in the five boroughs to learn about—and promote—the values of sportsmanship and fair play. The top prize of $500 will go to the essay that best describes "what sportsmanship means to me" according to the contest rules. The contest launches March 20, 2015 and ends April 30, 2015. Winning essays will be chosen by a panel of judges, and announced approximately 15 days later.

To enter, a writer must be between 12 and 18 years of age, and a legal resident of one of the five boroughs of New York City--Brooklyn, The Bronx, Manhattan, Queens or Staten Island. Students should submit their original essay of between 400 and 500 words online at NewYorkSportsConnection.com. There is no fee to enter, and complete rules and instructions are available online.

"Organized youth sports games often celebrate athletic achievement, competitiveness and winning," says the founder of NewYorkSportsConnection.com, Manhattan resident Aaron Finkel, who is the father of two teenaged athletes. "But we want to recognize the importance of sportsmanship on the playing field and off, and encourage students to have conversations about being a good sport with their families, coaches and teammates. I'm excited to use the essay contest as a way to promote the value of sportsmanship among student athletes throughout the five boroughs."

New York Sports Connection is funding the contest through a crowd funding campaign on Indiegogo.com that has so far raised $1,200.00, or 48 percent of its goal. The Indiegogo campaign funds will be used as prize money for the winning entries, and to administer and promote the contest to City residents. In exchange for their Indiegogo.com donation, supporters may receive "perks" such as stickers, t-shirts, or an electronic copy of the entries in eBook format.

About NewYorkSportsConnection.com
Founded by Aaron Finkel, a Manhattan father of two, NewYorkSportsConnection.com is the premier interactive resource for families and youth sports organizations in New York City. Users can search for information on sports leagues, teams, classes and activities, ask questions of others in the community and read pertinent content on the local sports community. The site's Weekly Sports Alert email keeps members up-to-date on upcoming deadlines for tryouts, sign-up/registration periods, clinics, camps and other sports-related events.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm