The athletic department is now a member of the NCAA CHAMPS/ Life Skills Program.  The NCAA CHAMPS/ Life Skills Program started in 1991 through the NCAA Foundation and the Division I Athletic Directors Association.  The total number of CHAMPS/ Life Skill members as of February 2009, is 664 ranging from Division I to Division III College institutions.

The athletic department is currently working on educating the athletes about NCAA CHAMPS/ Life Skills Program and will soon offer programming.  Jennifer Nance, the SWA and head women’s basketball coach is the coordinator of the college’s CHAMPS program, however she will have a panel of four other coaches to assist her with the program.

The CHAMPS/Life Skills Program is a program based on five categories:

• Commitment to Academic Excellence to support the academic progress of the student-athlete toward intellectual development and graduation.
• Commitment to Athletic Excellence to build philosophical foundations for development of athletic programs that are broad-based, equitable and dedicated to well-being of the student athlete.
• Commitment to Personal Development to support the development of a well-balanced lifestyle for student-athletes, encouraging emotional well-being, leadership, personal growth and decision making-skills.
• Commitment to Career Development to encourage the student-athlete to develop and pursue career and life goals.
• Commitment to Service to engage the student-athlete in service to his or her campus and surrounding communities.

Coach Nance stated, “We are really excited about starting the CHAMPS/Life skills program at Mars Hill College. It is a great way to help prepare our student-athletes for life beyond college. Mars Hill already has so many great resources available that fit under the CHAMPS/Life skills umbrella. By working with other departments on campus I feel we can enhance the student-athlete experience.”

For more information on the  CHAMPS/Life Skills program check out the NCAA website at www.ncaa.org/champslifeskills.