EastCarolinaUniversity is proud to be a part of the NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills Program. The NCAA along with the Division IA Athletic Directors' Association has developed a life skills program for student-athletes to help them bridge the gap from college to career and in the process make meaningful contributions to their communities. The mission of the CHAMPS (Challenging Athletes Minds for Personal Success) program is to provide opportunities for personal development for each student-athlete based on his or her individual needs. The focus of the program is on the individual as a whole person - academically, athletically, and emotionally. Through specific programs, CHAMPS works to meet student-athletes changing needs while in college and in the years after graduation.
The CHAMPS program is comprised of five key commitments that address critical areas of personal development:
The Commitment to Academic Excellence: This area focuses on enhancing the student-athlete's academic performance through training in such areas as study skills, communication skills, goal setting, and stress management.
The Commitment to Athletic Excellence: This commitment is dedicated to providing student-athletes with the best possible athletic experience while at ECU. The department of athletics recognizes the importance of a wide variety of support programs such as nutrition counseling and strength training and is committed to providing you with the best possible programs.
The Commitment to Personal Development: Through ECU's commitment to your personal development, the university seeks to help you develop the coping skills necessary to deal with a variety of challenges. This component covers such issues as social development, fundamental values, personal health, and fiscal responsibility.
The Commitment to Service: An important part of one's life is selfless service to the community, and this commitment provides student-athletes an opportunity to begin now to- ward a lifelong habit of volunteerism. While an athlete at ECU, you will have an opportunity to participate in a team volunteer project and in the "Athletes for Education" Speaker's Bureau.
The Commitment to Career Development: This component is dedicated to helping the student-athlete identify career goals and possible careers, develop interview skills, and cultivate an effective career network.
Ultimately the CHAMPS program is designed to help student-athletes realize higher academic achievement, a higher level of maturity, self-responsibility, and greater overall success. As a participant in this program, ECU is dedicated to carrying out all of the program's goals and commitments.
