NCAA Information for Current Student-Athletes
Mission of the Department
The Mission of the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics at Eastern Michigan University is to Guide, Support and Inspire Our Student-Athletes in Their Pursuit of Excellence: Academically, Athletically and Socially.
Student Athlete Support Services
The primary focus of Student Athlete Support Services (SASS) is to provide a comprehensive support services network designed to facilitate the academic, athletic, personal/social and career goals of all varsity student-athletes. SASS staff members promote and support success, cultural diversity, integrity and the student-athlete’s timely progress towards graduation by incorporating a personal development model. This program is fully integrated with the University programs, and works to assist all student-athletes with their transition into college, and continues throughout each student-athlete’s collegiate career, until the day he or she receives a diploma, lands a job or enters graduate school.
Freshmen and transfer student-athletes encounter a major transition when making the switch from high school or community college to a university. These students, while adjusting to their new routines, receive extra attention and support. With hard work and dedication from both the student-athlete and the support staff, the student-athlete can have a successful college experience at Eastern Michigan University.
Services provided through SASS include, but are not limited to:
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Student-athlete special needs
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Monitoring academic performance
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Providing learning assistance
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Evening study table
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Assisting with priority registration procedures
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Assisting in monitoring athletic eligibility
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Educating student-athletes in regards to NCAA, MAC and University rules and regulations
SASS staff members continually refer student-athletes to the Academic Advising Center, Career Services Center, Health Services, Records Office, Financial Aid, Writing Center and Holman Learning Center. Additionally, student-athletes are strongly encouraged to meet with a faculty member or college adviser each semester for assistance in course selection and graduation plans.
Mentoring Program
The success of EMU’s student-athletes hinges on the willingness of the student-athlete to seek assistance from SASS and other University student services, as well as the example set from each head coach in making academics a crucial part of the whole collegiate experience. EMU received a national award from USA Today and the NCAA for the highest jump in graduation rate from one year to the next.
Being proactive rather than reactive, the SASS staff does not wait for an academic crisis to occur. Important background information is gathered to build an academic profile on each student-athlete, assessing his or her needs in advance
The transition from high school athletics and academics to university level academics and NCAA Division I athletics is a significant one. For this reason all freshman athletes meet weekly with an academic counselor to discuss their academic progress. The purpose of this program is to develop an ongoing relationship with new student athletes, assess their academic preparedness and progress and recommend proactive measures to ensure their academic success.
Special attention is paid to academic skill building areas such as:
CHAMPS/Life Skills Program
In 1991, The NCAA Foundation created the CHAMPS/Life Skills Program (Challenging Athletes’ Minds for Personal Success) to provide a total development program for student-athletes. The program supports student development initiatives to enhance the quality of the student-athlete experience within the university setting. Eastern Michigan University has been a proud member since 1996. The CHAMPS/Life Skills Program Commitments include five components:
Academic
Achieving academic success is an integral piece of being a part of the EMU athletics family. The Athletics Department cumulative GPA has remained above a 3.0 for the past few years. Currently, we rank third in the Mid-American Conference in department grade point average.
Throughout the year, topics related to academic skill building are taught and discussed through individual weekly appointments. These topics include: time management, note taking, reading comprehension, learning styles, test preparation and stress reducers.
Career Development
SASS works closely with the Office of Career Services to provide programs related to the student-athletes’ career development needs. Topic areas include areas: résumé preparation, cover letters and job search strategies.
Community Service
Our goal is to interface student-athletes with the local EMU community, providing services in many areas. Every team, including the administration completes a community service each year.
Also, through the student organization, SAAC, team representatives participate in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washtenaw County, the Canned Food Drive to benefit the local food bank, Halloween visit and Valentine’s Day visit to area hospitals and care centers, the Reading Eagles Program which provides the opportunity to visit area elementary schools and stress the importance of reading, and Jock Jamz, a lip-synch contest among the teams to raise money for organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washtenaw County.
Personal Development
The personal development programming comes from a partnership between SASS and the University community. Programming areas include leadership development, information about supplemental drugs and drug and alcohol awareness.
