09-12-03
STUDENT ATHLETES BENEFIT FROM CHAMPS PROGRAM
The 250 student athletes at Penn State Behrend-all members of the college's twenty-one varsity sports teams-are encouraged to attend the monthly NCAA-funded CHAMPS program offered by Behrend Athletics. Mike Green, a former professional athlete, will present this month's program on drug and alcohol awareness on September 25.
CHAMPS (Challenging Athletes' Minds for Personal Success) is a life skills program supported by the NCAA to promote student growth in the areas of academics, athletics, career development, personal development, and community service.
"These programs give student athletes an opportunity to ask important, and sometimes uncomfortable, questions of adults other than their coaches and professors," said Angela Meserole, assistant athletic trainer and ESACT lecturer who also serves as the CHAMPS coordinator. "We get input from students on areas they would like to cover, and personal development is usually at the top of the list."
All student athletes are strongly encouraged to attend, particularly freshmen and sophomores on the varsity athletic teams. CHAMPS attendance is limited to student athletes because the NCAA provides funding for the speakers.
The CHAMPS/Life Skills Program was launched to the NCAA membership in 1994. Since then, approximately 50 member institutions have joined the CHAMPS/Life Skills Program each year. Today, the NCAA Education Outreach staff oversees the development of the program, offering services, support and programs to participating institutions throughout the year.
Contact:
Loretta Brandon
814-898-6063 (O)
E-mail: lzb6@psu.edu