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NCAA Student-Athlete Affairs(SAA)Program

In 1991, the NCAA Foundation initiated efforts to create a total development program for student-athletes. Through the collaborative efforts of the NCAA Foundation and the Division 1A Athletic Directors' Association, the SAA, formerly known as CHAMPS/Life Skills Program (Challenging Athletes' Minds for Personal Success) was created (www.ncaa.org).

Marist has implemented the SAA Program to provide student-athletes with the opportunity to experience programs that increase their academic and personal successes. The program is designed to give the student-athletes the support and skills needed to become effective citizens, inspired leaders and motivated activists after their graduation from college. The SAA program focuses on five areas of commitment: Academic Excellence, Athletic Excellence, Personal Development, Career Development, and Community Service. To this means the Department of Athletics provides seminars on Violence Prevention, Drug & Alcohol Education, Nutrition & Eating Disorders, Career Development, a Faculty & Peer Mentor Program, and Community Service projects.

As part of the Marist College SAA Program two student-athletes are selected by the NCAA to attend the Foundation Leadership Conference each year. The mission of the NCAA Foundation Leadership Conference is to provide student-athlete leaders with a multitude of challenging and thought-provoking activities that will enable them to become agents of change on their campuses and in their communities. As a result of participation, the student-athletes will enhance their communication skills, decision-making and problem-solving skills, critical-thinking skills, and collaborative skills.

For further information about the Student-Athlete Affairs Program at Marist and ways that we can assist you, feel free to contact Cammie Jones, Assistant Director of Student-Athlete Enhancement at ext. 6302, camilia.jones@marist.edu.

• Academic Excellence - To support the academic progress of the student-athlete toward intellectual development and graduation
  
  • NCAA Postgraduate Scholarships and Internships
  • NCAA Division I Degree Completion Award Program
  • MAAC Academic Honor Roll
  • The John McLendon Memorial Minority Postgraduate Scholarship
  • Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation
  • N4A Wilma Rudolph Student Athlete Achievement Award
  • Rhodes Scholarship
  • ECAC Robbins Scholar Athlete Award
  • Emerging Leaders Seminar
• Athletic Excellence - To build philosophical foundations for the development of athletics programs that are broad-based, equitable and dedicated to the well-being of the student-athlete.
• Career Development - Places significant importance on preparing student-athletes for a career following intercollegiate athletics. The program provides career exploration, introduces student-athletes to the job search process, networking opportunities, and assists with job placement.
• Career Services
• Internship and job opportunities
  
  • NBA Associate Program
  • ESPN Internships
  • http://ncaamarket.ncaa.org/search/browse/
  • http://www.vault.com
  • http://www.internships.com/
  • http://twitter.com/InternAlert
• Personal Development - Provides student-athletes the tools necessary in leading healthy lifestyles, encouraging personal growth and promoting physical and emotional well-being.
  
  • Michelle Rockwell, Nutrition Consultant
  • Marist College Wellness Fair
• Service - To engage the student-athlete in service to his/her campus and surrounding communities.
  
  Realizing that Marist's student-athletes serve as role models to elementary and high school students in the area, the Center for Student-Athlete Enhancement sponsors several community outreach projects. In this arena, Marist student-athletes visit schools and speak to students throughout the Mid-Hudson Valley about the importance of education and how staying in school and concentrating on their academics allowed them the opportunity to earn a scholarship and fulfill their dream of becoming a Division I athlete. The student-athletes also talk about the importance of time management and how developing good habits at a young age can only benefit in the long run.
  • Upcoming events

  • Community Service Archives

Red Fox Challenge

As part of its CHAMPS/Life Skills program, Marist's Center for Student-Athlete Enhancement sponsors the Red Fox Challenge each semester. The challenge is a program in which teams compete against one another in an effort to develop the skills essential to becoming effective citizens, inspired leaders and motivated activists. Teams earn points for the following six areas of development:

• Athletes Supporting Athletes - created to promote support amongst teams and individual student-athletes

• Community Service - refers to the expectation of service to the community and is a vital part of the Marist athletic experience

• Personal Enhancement - recognizes student-athletes who make extra efforts to better themselves

• Team Enhancement - requires the entire team to take part in an activity

• SAAC (formerly Captain's Council) - recognizes team captains/representatives for the efforts they make to adequately represent the voice of each of the varsity sports teams as well as relay important information to their teams

• Above and Beyond - recognizes student-athletes for going the extra mile