2001-02 San Jose State University CHAMPS/ Life Skills Annual Report

CONTINUOUS PROGRAMS

Project TeamWork (PTW)

Project TeamWork (PTW) is a youth and community outreach program sponsored by The Division of Intercollegiate Athletics and the CHAMPS/ Life Skills program at San Jose State University. Project TeamWork’s main purpose is to serve as mentors and role models to youth who need academic, social and/or emotional support in the local schools around the City of San Jose.

Project TeamWork mentors must meet specific criteria in order to participate. In return, they receive grants to cover the cost of school fees. This allows them to graduate under an athletic scholarship.

Project TeamWork currently has placed six student-athletes in surrounding San Jose Elementary schools. Rogers Elementary, Lyndale Elementary, Christopher Elementary, and Ann Darling Elementary are four elementary schools participating in the Project TeamWork program this 2001-2002 academic school year.

Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)

The SAAC, made up of representatives from all intercollegiate teams, meets once every three weeks with Division of Intercollegiate Athletics administrative staff to discuss issues concerning student athletes. The SAAC spent the month of October collecting donations for the September 11th Children’s Fund at all Spartan home games. The goal was to collect funds to show their support for the children who were affected by the tragic events of Sept.11th. The Spartan Baseball and Golf programs also contributed to the efforts by raising money at their annual golf tournaments. At the end of the month, $2,984.71 was sent to the Children’s Relief Fund with a letter of support from all the Student-Athletes at San Jose State University.

The SAAC fulfills their community service requirement by volunteering their time at the Santa Clara Emergency Housing Consortium. In the Fall the SAAC provided activities for a Thanksgiving party and in the Spring provided activities for a St. Patrick’s Day Party. The SAAC also is involved in Read Across America Day at J.W. Fair Middle School.

The SAAC is actively organizing San Jose State’s first SAAC run Blue-Gold Rally to be held in the fall of 2002. The rally will be a motivational tool for student-athletes going into the Spring semester. Team unity, school spirit, and the importance of being a student-athlete are main topics for the rally. Guest speakers will include alumni, professional athletes and coaches.

National Student Athlete Day in April provided the SAAC an opportunity to thank the students on campus for their support. The SAAC set up a booth in the middle of campus that showcases the athletic and academic achievements of Spartan student athletes.

Life Skills Workshops

A. Stress Management Workshop
A stress management workshop was held in the Fall semester, before midterms, to help student athletes deal with the added pressure of school and athletics

B. Diversity/ Communication Workshop
Head coaches and one team representative were involved in a Diversity Training workshop held on April 17th. Dr. Shawn Spano from the SJSU Communication Studies Department, facilitated helpful discussions about Diversity on San Jose State’s Campus and especially, diversity within the SJSU Athletic Department.

C. Resume Building Workshop
A Resume Building Workshop was offered to student-athletes in the Spring Semester as well. The SJSU Career Center helped student-athletes critique and create their resumes for summer employment and/or internships.

D. Alcohol Screening
The Health Center on campus teamed up with the Athletic Department for National Alcohol Screening Day on April 10th. Each team was asked to have representatives attend. Twenty-five student athletes participated in the event.

Spartans Exploring Intelligent Career Opportunities (SEICO)

The Spartans Exploring Intelligent Career Opportunities Program offers professional role models an opportunity to have a one-on-one relationship with a student-athlete who soon will be entering the corporate world. This mentorship program helps answer student-athlete’s questions about the professional working world. Questions that would be answered best by professionals working in the areas of interest to student-athletes. Thirty student athletes and thirty mentors participated this Fall and Spring Semesters.

"Read To Exceed"

Students and teachers from the Read To Exceed Program are periodically honored at Spartan Sporting events. During half-time festivities students participating in the Read To Exceed program are given Excellence Awards for their achievements in reading. This type of presentation gives the students a sense of accomplishment in a fun college atmosphere. Student-athletes also make visits to elementary school classrooms to promote staying in school and going to college.

Read to Exceed teachers were honored at home football and baseball games.

Semester Orientation

Each new incoming student-athlete was required to participate in the "New Student Athlete Orientation." Over 175 new student-athletes went through the orientation program. The orientation exposed the new student-athlete to the different support systems available to them on campus. Speakers focused on academic procedures, residence hall facilities, campus life, CHAMPS/ Life Skills programs and sports and academic facilities. Student support groups were also invited to speak at the orientation such as the Career Center, University Police, Academic Services Department and Financial Aid Department.

Scholarships and Awards

Exceptional student-athletes are nominated for awards and scholarships by the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics academic support staff and CHAMPS/ Life Skills program. Many of the awards are based on leadership, scholarship, and community service.

Nine student-athletes received the 2002 "Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges" award at San Jose State University. The award recognizes students who are outstanding in scholarship, leadership and community service.

Two students were awarded the Gordon Silva/ Gene Simpson Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to students who excel in their studies in the field of Administration of Justice.

Each year, San Jose State University’s Associated Students recognizes the achievements of 55 students for their commitment to service on and off campus with the A.S.55 award. Seven student-athletes, one graduate assistant and one former student-athlete were recognized in in 2002.

Four former student-athletes for 2001-2002 from San Jose State received the NCAA Degree Completion Award. These are scholarships assist former student-athletes, who are no longer eligible to receive SJSU athletics aid, pay for their education and complete their undergraduate degree.



FALL SEMESTER EVENTS

"Welcome Back Barbecue"

All student-athletes, coaches, administrators and staff were invited to the Welcome Back BBQ. At the barbecue each team and coach was introduced. The BBQ was prior to the start of school. The Division of Intercollegiate Athletics staff prepared and served food and drink at the BBQ.

Homecoming

Student-athletes were involved in the 2001 Homecoming festivities. Many sports teams entered the poster contest and participated in on-campus activities. A former gymnast, Tanika Byrd, was elected Homecoming Queen for her dedication to the Spartan way of life.

Holiday Giving Food and Clothes Drive

In the fall before Winter Break administrators, coaches and staff in the Athletic Department participated in a food and clothes drive for Sacred Heart Family Center. The food and clothes donated by the Athletic Department were distributed to needy families in surrounding San Jose State neighborhoods.


SPRING SEMESTER ACTIVITIES

Monterey High School Job Shadowing

Monterey High School juniors visited San Jose State University to "job shadow" different administrative positions in the Athletic Department. SJSU student-athletes took these students on a tour of the athletic and main campus facilities. The students then were guests at a home basketball game.


Arm and Pat Hanzad Academic Awards Ceremony

Faculty, athletic administrators, coaches and staff honored scholar student-athletes for their excellence at the Arm and Pat Hanzad Academic Awards Ceremony. The 15th Annual Ceremony was held on National Student-Athlete Day, April 4th. 120 student-athletes were invited to this year’s awards ceremony.

The awards given to the student-athletes for Scholar Athlete and Honor Scholar Athlete were determined by specific Athletics Department criterion that mirrors the University’s requirements for academic excellence. Other awards such as the CHAMPS/ Life Skills Leadership award, Top Individual and Team G.P.A. and conference selections for Western Athletic Conference "Scholar Athletes" were acknowledged at the ceremony.

Kids Day On Campus

The Athletics Department annually sponsors a "Kid’s Day on Campus Event." This year, 150 local elementary school children participated from Rogers, Lyndale, and Christopher Elementary Schools. They converged on SJSU’s campus for a full day of fun and learning. Student-athletes gave campus tours and lead team-building activities that promoted teamwork and leadership skills on Tower Lawn in the center of campus. Tower Lawn was also decorated with the large blow up Spartan, "Tiny". Along with "Tiny" tables were set up in order to distribute CHAMPS/ Life Skills t-shirts with the motto, "Championships come and go, but the game of life is FOREVER."

Graduation Pre-Commencement Reception

Graduating Student-Athletes and their families will be invited to join SJSU Athletics administrators, coaches and staff at the Pre-Commencement Reception. An estimated 90 student athletes were honored at this year’s Pre-Commencement Reception.

NCAA Foundation Leadership Conference

San Jose State has nominated student athletes to participate in the NCAA Leadership Conference for the past four years. This year, four student athletes were nominated to represent San Jose State University at the 2002 NCAA Foundation Leadership Conference. This year’s nominees were Jessica Hernandez, Women’s Soccer, Stephanie Pascucci, Volleyball; Marcus Arroyo, Football; and Tuati Wooden, Football.