CALDWELL COLLEGE RECEIVES NCAA GRANT FOR CHAMPS/LIFE SKILLS EVENT

1-29-10
CALDWELL, N.J. – The Caldwell College athletic department, in conjunction with the College’s Career Planning and Development Office, will host an alumni career symposium and networking reception for current student-athletes on Wednesday, Feb. 17. The event was made possible by a CHAMPS/Life Skills grant Caldwell College received from the NCAA. This is the second year Caldwell College has participated in the NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills Program, which assists NCAA member institutions with the overall development of their student-athletes.

The event, From Pre-Game to Post-Game: Planning Your Career, connects student-athlete alumni with current student-athletes, as the alums will speak on their experiences in obtaining employment and working in their chosen fields. There will be three breakout sessions: “How to Make the Most of Your Cougar Experience,” “The Importance of Internships,” and “Values Learned on the Court Applied to Life.”

“We are excited to welcome back our former student-athletes for such a unique and important event,” said Mark A. Corino, Executive Director of Athletics. “Our current student-athletes will have the benefit of learning from the experiences of people who went through job searches and are out in the workforce. This information is invaluable for students who will be embarking on their own careers in the near future, and I appreciate our alums for coming back to campus to help.”

As a member of the CHAMPS/Life Skills Program, Caldwell College has access to instructional materials and supplemental resources which support a student-athlete's development in five areas: academics, athletics, personal development, career development and community service. These materials will enhance the resources Caldwell already has in place, such as the Career Planning and Development Office and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Megan Hrbek, Athletics Administrator and the Cougars' head volleyball coach, serves as Caldwell's CHAMPS/Life Skills coordinator.

“In addition to the career support that the alumni will provide, the event will also help student-athletes recognize the opportunities available through internships and other campus programs,” Hrbek said. “This symposium aligns with the CHAMPS/Life Skills mission in our athletic department.

Caldwell College, which has 11 intercollegiate athletic programs that compete in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference, became a full member of the NCAA Division II in 2002.