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student-athlete profiles - Canisius College Griffins Athletics
student-athlete profiles - Canisius College Griffins Athletics
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2008 CANISIUS COLLEGE BASEBALL<br />
Develop Life Skills<br />
CHAMPS/Life Skills<br />
Canisius College has been a participating institution in the<br />
NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills Program since 2000-01.<br />
The CHAMPS/Life Skills Program is designed to:<br />
P Support efforts of every student-athlete toward intellectual development<br />
and graduation<br />
PUse athletics as preparation for success in life<br />
PMeet the changing needs of student-athletes<br />
P Enhance interpersonal relationships in the lives of student-athletes<br />
P Assist student-athletes in building positive self-esteem<br />
P Enable student-athletes to make meaningful contributions to their<br />
communities<br />
P Promote ownership by the student-athletes of their academic, athletic,<br />
personal and social responsibilities<br />
P Enhance partnerships between the NCAA, member institutions<br />
and their communities for the purpose of education<br />
P Encourage the development of leadership skills<br />
The CHAMPS/Life Skills Program focuses on five commitment<br />
areas:<br />
• Academic Excellence<br />
• Athletic Excellence<br />
• Personal Development<br />
• Career Development<br />
• Service<br />
• The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) serves as<br />
the student-athletes’ line of communication to the athletics administration.<br />
Two student-athletes from each team serve on the SAAC and<br />
meet with department of athletics administrators once a month.<br />
• Once each semester, Canisius recognizes its student-athletes<br />
who have achieved a 3.2 cumulative grade point average or higher at<br />
an academic awards banquet.<br />
• At the end of the academic year, the athletic department<br />
hosts the All-Sports Banquet and announces the Male and Female<br />
Athletes of the Year. The banquet also includes a video, featuring all<br />
athletic teams, along with other award presentations.<br />
• The athletic department also sponsors a student-athlete of<br />
the week award. Each Monday, the athletic <strong>communications</strong> office<br />
nominates candidates. The winner is determined by a fan poll on<br />
www.GoGriffs.com.<br />
• Canisius initiated a program in 2002, called Athletes For<br />
Athletes, to increase fellowship among the student-athletes and student<br />
attendance at home games. SAAC representatives from each<br />
team pick one home game on their schedule they would like all other<br />
student-athletes to attend.<br />
Student-Athlete of the Year<br />
Year Female Athlete Male Athlete<br />
2001 Heather Forester (synchro swimming) Stephen Fabiilli (hockey)<br />
2002 Shauna Geronzin (basketball) Tom Zabawa (football)<br />
2003 Jénel Stevens (basketball) Mark Miyashita (lacrosse)<br />
2004 Jénel Stevens (basketball) Rob Martin (hockey)<br />
2005 Andrea Bunten (softball) Matt Vinc (lacrosse)<br />
2006 Whitney Card (lacrosse) Matt Mazurek (baseball)<br />
2007 Jess Stackhouse (volleyball) Kevin Ross (lacrosse)<br />
Department of Athletics Mission Statement<br />
Consistent with the Jesuit philosophy of education and the mission<br />
of the College, the Canisius College intercollegiate athletics<br />
program strives for excellence in academics, athletics, leadership<br />
and service to others while embracing the principles of good<br />
sportsmanship, ethical conduct and equity in opportunity.<br />
Core Values<br />
In pursuing this mission the Department of Athletics subscribes<br />
to established core values through which all stakeholders of the<br />
program ensure that we will:<br />
• Understand that our student-athletes are central to our primary<br />
purpose and as such, their well being and successful graduation<br />
from the college are expected.<br />
• Continually recruit student athletes that will enhance our<br />
program by representing the College with distinction.<br />
• Tirelessly prepare for and compete in each contest with the<br />
expectation of winning.<br />
• Expect the highest levels of sportsmanship and personal integrity<br />
from all participants.<br />
• Strive to provide a leadership role in the College’s service to<br />
the Western New York community.<br />
• Embrace equal opportunity for all participants in a culturally<br />
diverse community.<br />
• Provide a positive educational and athletic experience for our<br />
student-athletes and alumni that will create a passion for a commitment<br />
to the college and engender a lifetime of support for<br />
our Golden Griffins.<br />
Below: Kevin Ross (left) and Jess Stackhouse (right) were named the<br />
Canisius College Athletes of the Year in 2006-07.<br />
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