Chippewas Receive Prestigious Life Skills Award
April 25, 2002
MOUNT PLEASANT - The Central Michigan University athletics department has received another prestigious award to add to its showcase.
The Division IA Athletic Directors' Association has selected Central Michigan University to receive the CHAMPS Program of Excellence Award for the 2000-01 academic year. The Program of Excellence distinction is awarded to CHAMPS programs that have displayed a highly effective and pervasive program benefiting their student-athletes in all five components of the CHAMPS program.
CHAMPS, which stands for Challenging Healthy Athletic Minds for Personal Success, is designed to develop the student as a whole. It concentrates on academic excellence, athletic excellence, personal development, career development and community service, along with leadership.
"Since the inception of this award in 1997, the Division IA Athletic Directors Association has honored only 24 Division IA institutions with this award," CMU athletics director Herb Deromedi said. "To be included in number speaks highly of Central Michigan University's commitment to the overall welfare and success of our student-athletes and to the commitment of the Mid-American Conference schools. We are excited and honored by the recognition."
Other recipients this year were Ball State and Louisiana State. Past winners include Arizona, Florida, Florida State, Kentucky, Michigan State, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma and Texas among others.
"This is a huge honor for our program," said Pat Podoll, assistant athletics director for academics. "We've worked hard to create a top-notch Life Skills Program and a support network for all of our student-athletes. The award verifies what we've been doing."
Podoll directs CMU's student-athlete academic support unit, along with Life Skills Coordinator Deb McAlpin and academic adviser Jason Holtman. McAlpin put together the extensive application for this award.
The CHAMPS program was established in 1991 by the Division IA Athletic Directors' Association to provide student-athletes with an educational and training program to assist in their "total personal development." As an extension of the IA Athletic Directors' Association, the CHAMPS program represents the commitment to the "Preparation for Life" of each Division IA student-athlete.
Other major honors bestowed upon the CMU athletics department in the last five years include the 2000-01 Reese Trophy for the Mid-American Conference's top men's athletic program, and four straight MAC Academic Achievement Awards for the top student-athlete grade point average in the conference from 1996-97 through 1999-2000.
Past recipients of the CHAMPS Program of Excellence Award:
1997-98
North Carolina State
Ohio State
Arizona
Texas
1998-99
Florida State
Penn State
Syracuse
Florida
Nebraska
Oklahoma
Washington
1999-2000
Alabama
Clemson
Georgia Tech
Georgia
Kentucky
Tennessee
2000-01
Arizona State
Iowa
Michigan State
Notre Dame
2001-02
Ball State
Central Michigan
Louisiana State