CHAMPS/Life Skills Program Begins on Endicott Campus

Sept. 14, 2007

BEVERLY, MA - Entering their first year of the NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills Program (Challenging Athletes' Minds for Personal Success), Endicott College fall athletes participated in three personal development seminars, two athletic department pride and integration exercises, and one community service project during their preseason camp(s).

The NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills Program was launched in 1994, after several years of development by the NCAA Foundation. In the Program's first year, 46 NCAA institutions participated in the first orientation for administrators from around the country. Since then, approximately 40 member institutions have joined the CHAMPS/Life Skills Program each year. Endicott is one of 127 enrolled Division III institutions.

Led by Endicott's Director of First Year Experience and CHAMPS/Life Skills Advisory Leader, Jason Williams, fall athletes participated in personal development seminars dealing with topics including hazing, drugs and alcohol, maturity and responsibility, and civility and respect. The Endicott athletes also collaborated to make welcome signs for each dormitory, welcoming their fellow students back to campus over Labor Day weekend.

The Endicott student/athletes also came together to complete a community service project where 1,000 non-perishable items were donated to Beverly Bootstraps. The mission of the non-profit Beverly based pantry is to "end hunger and its root causes in the Beverly community by offering a myriad of emergency and empowerment services to those in need."

"With food and fuel prices still on the rise, every donation grows in importance," said Beverly Bootstraps Executive Director Tom Gifford. "We (Beverly Bootstraps) are grateful for the dedicated service from the Endicott student/athletes that help within our community."

The CHAMPS/Life Skills Program is supported through the promotional and financial efforts of the NCAA Leadership Advisory Board and the NCAA national office.