About The Jimmy and Chris Pursell CHAMPS / Life Skills Program
The Jimmy and Chris Pursell CHAMPS / Life Skills Program is a collaboration between the NCAA and the Division 1A Athletic Directors' Association. CHAMPS stands for CHallenging Athletes' Minds for Personal Success, and the overall goal of the program is to develop student-athletes' personal and professional skills in order to facilitate successful and productive futures.
James T. Pursell made a commitment to the total development of our student-athletes by endowing the Jimmy and Chris Pursell CHAMPS / Life Skills Program. Mr. Pursell's dream of supporting the character and educational development of Auburn Student-Athletes inspired him to support the continued excellence of Auburn's CHAMPS/Life Skills program. In appreciation of his generosity the program was named in his honor in the Fall of 2005.
The Auburn University Jimmy and Chris Pursell CHAMPS / Life Skills Program emphasizes leadership, personal responsibility, and contribution within the community.
The program is comprised of five key elements:
- Commitment to Academic Excellence
- Commitment to Athletic Excellence
- Commitment to Career Development
- Commitment to Personal Development
- Commitment to Service
The Auburn University Jimmy and Chris Pursell CHAMPS / Life Skills Program was recognized as a Program of Merit in 2004 and a Program of Excellence in 2005 by the Division IA Athletic Directors' Association.
The board looks at five different areas when picking their Programs of Merit and Programs of Excellence, those being academic development, athletic development, career development, community service and personal development.