Spartan CHAMPS/Life Skills
The San Jose State University athletics program begins its second year of the Spartan CHAMPS/Life Skills program. The program was developed for use by NCAA Division I, II and III institutions and is supported by the Division I-A Athletic Directors' Association and the NCAA.
The CHAMPS/Life Skills Program, which stands for Challenging Athletes' Minds for Personal Success, is a program designed to provide additional learning opportunities for student-athletes and prepare them for the ultimate competitive challenge: life after graduation. The CHAMPS/ Life Skills program is dedicated to providing the best growth opportunity for student-athletes in five major areas:
I. A Commitment to Academic Excellence ensures that each student-athlete will have the opportunity to excel in his or her chosen field of study. The athletic department will provide services to support and enhance the academic success of the student-athletes.
As part of this commitment, the university has created the Student-athlete Tutorial & Academic Resource center (STAR) which will be directed by Rich Chew with help from Lewis Bundy, the University Director of Academic Services.
The STAR Center provides an alternative learning center at the Alan B. Simpkins Intercollegiate Athletics Administration Building for all San Jose State students with a special emphasis on the student-athlete population.
The STAR Center offers general advising and guidance in academics. The staff provides supplemental information as it pertains to the student-athlete population.
The STAR Center staff members meet with teams and coaches to assess and determine the need for campus programs and services to complement traditional academic support. The staff identifies campus support services, programs, workshops and support staff that help targeted student-athletes progress in their academic studies.
San Jose State offers adjunct courses designed to review course material, lecture content and answer questions in a structured environment. Facilitated by a faculty member, the group is much smaller than the class it parallels. It is conducive to individual attention and less impersonal.
Drop-in tutors are available at the STAR Center to meet the ongoing academic needs of students, especially student-athletes. The center provides drop-in tutors for writing skills, mathematics, research skills, computer skills, word processing and other areas as needed. The staff organizes small groups in specific courses and arrange for group tutoring. They will conduct follow-ups on the quality and success of tutors provided.
The STAR Center provides numerous PC and Apple computers with Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, APA format template and other software programs. The computers allow students Internet access.
The STAR Center houses, maintains and provides brochures, literature and other books and materials designed to enhance academic, social, emotional and general life skills development of students.
II. A Commitment to Athletic Excellence ensures that each student-athlete will be provided facilities, coaching staffs and support services that will enable student-athletes to excel in a broad program of sports sponsored by San Jose State. The fundamental principles of these programs will be based on a commitment to sportsmanship, equity, fair play and integrity.
III. A Commitment to Personal Development ensures that each student-athlete participating in the Spartan CHAMPS/ Life Skills program will be provided with opportunities to focus on personal growth issues such as values clarification, goal setting, fiscal responsibility, decision making and stress management. Each of these components will be focused toward developing a healthy lifestyle.
IV. A Commitment to Service is the challenge to our student-athletes to give back to the San Jose community and individuals who are in need. With a clearly defined program of service, student-athletes are given opportunities to develop the foundation for a lifelong commitment of volunteerism.
V. A Commitment to Career Development places priority on preparing for life after college sports. The program acquaints student-athletes with the job search process, provides networking opportunities and ultimately assists with job placement. As the programs work toward the development of the total person, the ultimate goal is to develop individuals who will have rewarding careers and productive lifestyles.