UB Athletics CHAMPS/Life Skills Named Program of Excellence

Bulls bestowed with highest honor from Division 1A Athletic Directors’ Association

Warde Manuel

BUFFALO, NY - The University at Buffalo Division of Athletics CHAMPS/Life Skills program was awarded with the highest honor given by the Division 1A Athletic Directors’ Association, as the program was named a Program of Excellence. The award was presented to UB at the D 1A Athletic Directors’ Association’s annual meeting in Dallas, Texas on Monday.

CHAMPS (Challenging Athletes’ Minds for Personal Success) is a program sponsored by the Division 1A Athletic Directors’ Association that is designed to address the “total development” of the student-athlete. The commitment to the CHAMPS program is an extension of the mission statement of the Division 1A Athletic Directors. Last year, UB’s CHAMPS/Life Skills program was awarded the Program of Merit, but this year the program took that extra step and was awarded the highest distinction given by the D 1A Athletic Directors’ Association.

“The CHAMPS/Lifeskills program is really a subset in Athletics, of what the University is already designed to do,” said Director of Athletics Warde Manuel. “It’s designed to help students grow. To grow not only in the educational environment, but to grow as people and as citizens. We are extremely honored that the D 1A Athletic Directors’ Association has chosen us for this award and we will continue to run this program to its highest potential.”

The board looks at five different areas when picking their Programs of Excellence, those being academic development, athletic development, career development, community service and personal development.

The University at Buffalo Division of Athletics was the only school to be recognized as a Program of Excellence this year. UB is the fourth school in the Mid-American Conference to be awarded as a Program of Excellence. Miami (OH) was recognized last year, while Ball State and Central Michigan both won the award in 2001-02.

09/25/2007