Orientation and Continuing Education Conferences

The purpose of Orientation is to introduce new coordinators to the NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills Program, as well as provide an opportunity to network with one another and share tools and strategies for being a CHAMPS/Life Skills Coordinator.

The two-day program includes an introduction to materials and resources available to coordinators, group brainstorming sessions on programming ideas and presentations by current Life Skills Coordinators.

Every CHAMPS/Life Skills school is eligible to send a representative to Orientation each year, regardless of year of initiation to the program. However, new schools are required to send at least one representative in order to become a member of the NCAA CHAMPS/ Life Skills Program and take advantage of the program's resources and opportunities.

Highlights of the 2008 Orientation Conference include:

Experiential workshops - Attendees will participate in two workshops in the role of student-athletes and then bring the activities back for use on their own campus!
Evaluation of your institution's needs assessment - Attendees will learn how to interpret the results and create strategies to meet the expressed needs of their student-athletes as illustrated by the provided assessment!
Networking and collaboration - Opportunities to learn from NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills coordinators from across the country, share our ideas and learn from each others' successful and "not-so-successful" events!

The 2008 NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills Orientation Conference will be held February 3-5 in Kansas City, Missouri!

The purpose of the Continuing Education Conference is to renew your energy and add to your toolbox of programs as a NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills coordinator, as well as provide an opportunity to network with one another and share strategies with those in the field.

The Continuing Education Conference is open to all NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills coordinators, including those who attend the Orientation Conference. As the mission of each conference is very different, we encourage you to attend both conferences, if possible if this is your first year as a CHAMPS/Life Skills Coordianator.

Highlights of the 2008 Continuing Education Conference include:

Keynote Speakers - Inspiration provided by Kevin Carroll (http://www.kevincarrollkatalyst.com) and our closing speaker (TBD) as they shared their amazing journeys!
Breakout sessions - Conducted by your peers, the breakout sessions showcase best practices, new approaches to standard challenges and examples of what is working in the field RIGHT NOW!
Speakers showcase - Attendees will "sample" six nationally-known speakers as they offer a slice of their presentations for review - a "try before you buy" opportunity!
Divisional breakouts - Attendees will spend time with CHAMPS/Life Skills peers and discuss hot topics, challenges and opportunities unique to their NCAA Division!

The 2008 NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills Continuing Education Conference will be held February 5-7 in Kansas City, Missouri!

For more information regarding the CHAMPS/Life Skills Orientation or Continuing Education Conferences, please contact Becky Ahlgren-Bedics at bahlgren@ncaa.org or 317/917-6335.

Please note that there is not a registration fee for either of these conferences, and both are open only to athletics administrators working within CHAMPS/Life Skills Programs at NCAA member institutions.

**** Registration is now CLOSED for the 2008 CHAMPS/Life Skills Orientation and Continuing Education Conferences! Please contact Becky Ahlgren-Bedics with questions. ****

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