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Why CHAMPS/Life Skills?
The NCAA CHAMPS Alcohol Choices and Addictive Behaviors course
(ACAB) was just one of a myriad of resources developed by the NCAA to provide to
member institutions that are part of the CHAMPS/Life Skills program. The program was
developed from the vision of NCAA Division I Athletic Director’s Association Executive
Director Gene Hooks during the 1991-92 academic year, and the NCAA Foundation’s
Life Skills Program. The programs merged into the CHAMPS/Life Skills program in the
1994-95 academic year (1A Athletic Directors’ Association, n.d.b.).
Prior to the merger and under the tutelage of Hooks, the CHAMPS program
was recommended because it helped fulfill part of the 1A Directors’ mission. Included in
the mission were the following statements:
Division 1A directors of athletics are dedicated to the welfare and future success of
the student-athletes, which we serve. It is imperative that the programs operated by
the athletic director reflect well on the institution, and that teams representing the
institution bring honor and respect to the campus. Athletic directors are committed
to provide the coaching, facilities, and equipment necessary for each student-athlete
to achieve his or her potential as a person, student, and athlete. We must also be
committed to the prevention of drug and alcohol abuse and gambling dangers, and
provide every possible means of testing, education, and follow-up. (1A Athletic
Directors’ Association, n.d.c.)
The program was also viewed as an aid to help athletic directors fulfill their
stated values and ethics, on which each athletic director agrees to place the highest value
and promote with each decision they make (1A Athletic Directors’ Association, n.d.a.).
The first value listed was the overall welfare of each student athlete, which included
health, safety, personal growth, and educational and athletic development. Within this
framework of student-athlete welfare a code of ethics existed that included a list of
principles to be addressed. These principles included physical development, health, and
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