What Is CHAMPS/Life Skills?
CHAMPS is a program that was developed by the NCAA Foundation in 1991 and launched in 1994 as a total development program for student-athletes. It supports student development initiatives and works to enhance the quality of the student-athlete experience within the university setting. SUNY New Paltz became a member of CHAMPS in 1999.
CHAMPS/Life Skills Vision Statement:
The NCAA is committed to a comprehensive program of life skills that provides educational experience and services in order to develop well-balanced lifestyles for student-athletes; to encourage growth in decision-making, planning and fulfillment of career and life goals; and to enhance the quality of the student-athlete experience within the university setting.
It does this by providing resources and workshop opportunities for the universities administration to help us help you as student-athletes.
CHAMPS focus's on 5 commitment areas to help our university help the Student-Athlete:
CHAMPS Commitment Areas:
Academic Commitment: Study Halls and Academic Success Program, SAM Tutors, Pre-Registration, Awards, Honors and Recognition that we give our students.
Career Development: Career Information/Resources and Resume Workshops.
Athletics Commitment: Coaching, teaching and evaluating, all of the things that are done for our students on a daily basis on and off the field.
Personal Development: This area is dealt with through the following areas: Resource Center (in front of training room), upcoming and previous speakers/workshops, Leadership Academy. All of the things individual teams do to help build character and a sense of community.
Service Commitment: Community service, SAM's and SAAC.
With the help of the CHAMPS/Life Skills Program we hope that as an Athletic Department we can provide quality programs that will help to enhance the experience of being a part of this Department. We wish to provide support to our student-athletes not only on the field, but off.
We as a Department feel that the student-athletes are very well rounded people who have the ability to lead and be successful while in college and after their graduation. It is our goal as a Department to give the student-athletes the opportunity to obtain the most of their college career.