BULLS NEWS

UB Athletics Named CHAMPS Program of Merit

Warde Manuel

CHAMPS (Challenging Athletes’ Minds for Personal Success) is a program sponsored by the Division IA 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 IA Athletic Directors.

The highest award that is given out by the association is the Program of Excellence, which three universities were awarded this year, including fellow conference member Miami (OH). The Program of Merit exists just below, meaning UB's CHAMPS program components rate above average, but have at least one area that needs improvement. 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 Division IA CHAMPS Program of Excellence application has provided us with an excellent tool in order to evaluate the strengths and challenges of our CHAMPS/Life Skills Program here in the Division of Athletics at UB," said Kellie Peiper, Student-Athlete Services Coordinator and CHAMPS Administrator. "Through the application process and feedback, we have determined which areas we excel at and which areas need continued work."

"We will continue to strive in all five areas," Peiper added. "We are honored to be recognized as a Program of Merit, and plan to apply again in 2007 with the goal of receiving the Program of Excellence award.”

While three universities were bestowed the Program of Excellence, Buffalo was the only university in the nation to be recognized as a Program of Merit.