communications Reitnour

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