CHAMPS Life Skills is a program that was designed by the NCAA to help member institutions, like Stony Brook University, provide student athletes with a total development program during their college years. CHAMPS (Challenging Athletes' Minds for Personal Success) is an integral part of a student's experience as a Seawolf and it is the hope of the Athletic Administration, that each student will take full advantage of the services provided to them as an athlete. As a CHAMPS Life Skills institution, Stony Brook University is committed to the following five areas:

What types of programs are offered through the CHAMPS program?

Here are just a few of the programs in which student-athletes are encouraged to participate.

Personal Development

• USB 101 for freshmen athletes
• Alcohol & Substance Education
• Nationally Renowned Speakers including Pat Griffin & Mike Green
• NCAA APPLE Conference Participation
• Peer Mentoring Program to begin Spring 2004
• Leadership Training
• Special Need Referrals

Career Development

• Resume Writing Workshops
• Interview Skills Training
• Interest Inventories & Exploration
• One on One Counseling Sessions
• Resume Review
• Graduate School Exploration
• Creating a Road Map for Professional Success

Community Service Initiatives

• Read Across America
• Holiday Food Drives
• Tree of Hope
• Girls & Women In Sports Youth Clinic
• Visits to Veterans Home & Stony Brook Childcare Center
• Habitat for Humanity
• Walk for Beauty
• Adaptive Aquatics Program Volunteers
• Soup Kitchen Volunteers

Team specific programming is also available through the Life Skills office including team building, leadership workshops, experiential education opportunities, career development, etc.

Student Athlete Council

Two student athletes are selected each year to represent his/her team on the Student Athlete Council. The primary purpose of the council is to give student athletes a voice within the Department of Athletics. This student run council establishes a communication network between the student-athletes and the athletic administration in order to act as liaisons for their teams. Sub-committees are formed to assist in program development and to address issues that face the student-athlete. It is the role of the council members to keep his/her team abreast of critical issues.

Another facet of participation with the Student Athlete Council is the initiation and the facilitation of community service initiatives. Council members work to get all the athletes involved in these community events and projects in order to get the most from their experiences at Stony Brook and to give back to those less fortunate than themselves.