The CHAMPS/Life Skills program was developed by the NCAA in the mid-1990's to provide guidance and support to help student-athletes succeed in the classroom, in the community and in life. Five key components, or commitments, were identified as important to the overall success of student-athletes:

Academic Excellence
Athletic Excellence
Personal Development
Career Development
Community Service

Commitment to these five areas reinforces the concept that student-athletes are students first and athletes second, but also that there are many other important aspects to the development of and preparation for a successful future. Support materials are continually being developed, discovered and disseminated, in order to provide participating campuses with a “toolbox” of resources to help them build and implement a program to meet their specific needs. While the program was initially developed for student-athletes, the NCAA encourages campuses to utilize the program and its resources to benefit the entire student population and campus community.

UCR officially began its involvement with the program in 2000, and there are currently more than 500 institutions and conference offices participating in the CHAMPS/Life Skills program nationwide. With the active involvement and support of many people in the campus community, we have built a solid foundation for our program through many successful initiatives and programs, and look forward to the continued growth and development of this important program.