Oct. 1, 2007

Simpson College was recently accepted to the NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills Program, a development program for student athletes.

Tyler Erwin, assistant men’s basketball coach and athletic academic liaison, worked for a year to get Simpson admitted into CHAMPS/Life Skills. Simpson is just one of two Division III schools in Iowa to participate in the initiative.

The program focuses on the growth of athletes in five different areas: academics, athletics, personal development, career development and community service. According to the NCAA Web site, the CHAMPS/Life Skills Program enhances student athletes’ higher educational experiences by encouraging students to take ownership of their education and professional development, teaching leadership skills and endorsing respect for diversity.

Erwin said the program is still in its infancy at Simpson, but as it develops, more advantages will be created for Storm athletes.

“It’s a great opportunity for our student athletes,” said Erwin. “We are going to utilize this program in numerous ways, but the focus is helping our student athletes grow in their college surroundings as well as preparing them for life after college and athletics.”

The positive effects of CHAMPS/Life Skills have already been seen with opportunities such as the continuation of the mentor program, study tables for first-year students and a speaker grant that will help bring educational programs to campus each semester.