The mission of the NCAA is to maintain intercollegiat

1
ECAC Fall 08 ConventionOverview of the NCAA
CHAMPS/Life Skills ProgramMike LindbergIthaca
College
Key Contact Rebecca Ahlgren-Bedics Associate
Director of Education Services,
NCAA bahlgren_at_ncaa.org
2
NCAA CHAMPS/Life SkillsA Place To Grow

• WHAT IS IT?
• WHY WOULD I WANT IT?
• WHAT SHOULD IT LOOK LIKE ?
• WHO ELSE HAS IT ?
• IS THERE HELP?
• HOW DO I GET IT?

3
NCAA CHAMPS/Life SkillsA Place To Grow

• PROMOTIONAL DVD

4
CHAMPS/LIFE SKILLSWHAT IS IT?

• The mission of the NCAA is to maintain
  intercollegiate athletics as an integral part of
  the campus educational program and the
  student-athlete as an integral part of the
  student body. With this in mind, the CHAMPS/Life
  Skills Program was created to support the
  student-athlete development initiatives of NCAA
  member institutions and to enhance the quality of
  the student-athlete experience within the context
  of higher education.

5
Mission

• Promote student-athletes ownership of their
  academic, athletic, career, personal and
  community responsibilities.
• Meet the changing needs of student-athletes.      
   
• Promote respect for diversity and inclusion among
  student-athletes.       
• Assist student-athletes in identifying and
  applying transferable skills.       
• Enhance partnerships between the NCAA, member
  institutions and their communities for the
  purpose of education.
• Foster an environment that encourages
  student-athletes to effectively access campus
  resources.        
• Encourage the development of character, integrity
  and leadership skills.

6
NCAA CHAMPS/Life SkillsA Place To Grow

• WHY WOULD I WANT IT?

7
NCAA CHAMPS/Life SkillsA Place To Grow

• "Inherently, each one of us has the substance
  within to achieve whatever our goals and dreams
  define. What is missing from each of us is the
  training, education, knowledge and insight to
  utilize what we already have."
•                                                   
                       - Mark Twain

8
Rationale

• Ensure that student-athletes are recognized as
  more than just bodies in motion.
• Support the student development initiatives of
  member institutions.
• Encourage the use of athletics as preparation for
  success in life.
• Enable student-athletes to make meaningful
  contributions to their communities.

9
NCAA CHAMPS/Life SkillsA Place To Grow

• WHAT SHOULD IT LOOK LIKE ?

10
Commitment Statements

• Commitment to Academic Excellence
• To support the academic progress of the
  student-athlete toward intellectual development
  and graduation.
• EXAMPLE
• ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
• APPLYING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS/INTERNSHIPS
• GOAL SETTING
• PRESENTATION SKILLS
• STUDY SKILLS
• TIME MANAGEMENT

11
Commitment Statements

• Commitment to Athletic Excellence
• To build philosophical foundations for the
  development of athletic programs that are
  broad-based, equitable and dedicated to the
  well-being of the student-athlete.
• EXAMPLES
• LEADERSHIP
• NUTRITION FOR PERFORMANCE
• SPORTSMANSHIP
• TEAM BUILDING
• STRESS MANAGEMENT

12
Commitment Areas, continued

• Commitment to Career Development
• To encourage the student-athlete to develop and
  pursue career and life goals.
• EXAMPLES
• JOB SEARCH PROCESS
• INTERVIEW SKILLS
• RESUME WRITING
• TRANSFERRABLE SKILLS
• AGENTS

13
Commitment Areas, continued

• Commitment to Personal Development
• To support the development of a well-balanced
  lifestyle for student-athletes, encouraging
  emotional well-being, personal growth and
  decision-making skills.
• EXAMPLES
• DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
• COMMUNICATION SKILLS
• CONFLICT MANAGEMENT
• SELF-AWARENESS
• PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
• STRESS MANAGEMENT

14
Commitment Areas, continued

• Commitment to Service
• To engage the student-athlete in service to
  his/her campus and surrounding communities.
• EXAMPLES
• CAMPUS PARTNERSHIPS
• SAAC
• YOUTH MENTORING
• PEER MENTORING
• REACHING OUT TO THE COMMUNITY
• FUNDRAISING

15
NCAA CHAMPS/Life SkillsA Place To Grow

• WHO ELSE HAS IT?

16
Current Membership

• Total number of CHAMPS/Life Skills Institutions
  and conference offices 627
• FBS 129
• FCS 108
• Division I 92
• Division II 157
• Division III 140
• Partnering Association 1

17
Debunking the Myths

• 497 non-FBS schools and conference offices
  sponsor CHAMPS/Life Skills programs.
• NOT a separate but equal program. Utilize
  partnerships.
• Fifty-five percent of CHAMPS/Life Skills programs
  (all divisions) do not have a designated budget,
  34 are granted funds when asked (need to be
  justified).
• Sixteen percent of those who work in Life Skills
  (all divisions) have the primary title of
  CHAMPS/Life Skills Coordinator- the rest have
  additional responsibilities.

18
NCAA CHAMPS/Life SkillsA Place To Grow

• IS THERE HELP?

19
Benefits of Membership

• Nationwide database of colleagues for
  collaboration.
• The Listserve
• Attendance at annual Orientation and Continuing
  Education Conferences.
• NCAA Resources and Professional Development
  Opportunities.
• Coordinator Resources on the website
• Poster series
• Stay in Bounds
• It Takes A Team
• Playbook for Life
• CHAMPS Chats
• Show me the Money !!!
• Network..Network..Network.
• Staying ahead of the game

20
Evaluation
21

• No standard of measure.
• Different programs have different emphases each
  year.
• NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills Advisory Team discussions
  of Programs of Merit, Programs of
  Distinction, etc.
• NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills Program self study in
  development.
• NCAA Education Services campus visits.

22
CHAMPS/Life Skills Application
ProcessApplications for the Class of 2010
available in the Spring
Key Contact Rebecca Ahlgren-Bedics Associate
Director of Education Services,
NCAA bahlgren_at_ncaa.org
23
The NCAACHAMPS/Life Skills Program

• CHallenging Athletes Minds for Personal Success