Alabama Athletics Student-Athlete Enhancement Programs Get Underway This Weekend
8/25/2017 7:19:00 PM | General
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - As The University of Alabama's new academic year gets underway this week, the Crimson Tide's latest contingent of student-athletes return to classes and practices, gearing up for success in both arenas.
The fruits of Alabama student-athletes' labor in their athletic and academic pursuits is obvious. Over the last decade, the Crimson Tide has won nine national team titles and 23 Southeastern Conference championships. In the classroom, Alabama student-athletes combined to earn a 3.25 grade point average for the 2016-17 academic year and have earned an NCAA Division I-best 77 Academic All-American honors since 2010.
"The resources that our student-athletes have at their disposal in terms of their pursuit of academic and athletic excellence are second to none," UA Director of Athletics Greg Byrne said. "But at The University of Alabama, our mission is not only to see our student-athletes earn degrees and strive for championships, it is also to prepare them for life beyond the playing field and the classroom and help them become happy, healthy and productive members of society. That's why our student-athlete enhancement programs are so important."
Alabama Athletics has two initiatives that work in concert to make up the core of the Crimson Tide's Student-Athlete Enhancement's efforts – Life Skills and D.R.I.V.E. for Success.
The Tide's D.R.I.V.E. for Success Career Development and Leadership Development program is innovative and dynamic initiative that is now in its fourth year. . Dedication, Responsibility, Influence, Vision, and Excellence are the values of the program, highlighted through the D.R.I.V.E. acronym. The mission is to actively support professional and leadership growth of current and former Crimson Tide student-athletes through practical education and comprehensive programming in preparation for success in life.
"The resources that D.R.I.V.E. puts at our disposal are amazing," NCAA Champion and Academic All-American swimmer Luke Kaliszak. "From building a resume to how to deal with personal finances, they are providing us with valuable life lessons that I'm really grateful for – I'm grateful that I've had these opportunities and that Alabama has provided them for us. These are things that will hold us in good stead for the rest of our lives."
To that end, D.R.I.V.E. will once again facilitate the Tide's year-long Emerging Tide Leaders Academy which gets underway this weekend. D.R.I.V.E. for Success will also host career fairs, professional development seminars, major exploration fairs and networking nights among a variety of other opportunities that are all designed to provide Crimson Tide student-athletes with the tools and knowledge necessary to reach their full potential in the professional arena.
The Life Skills program has been a Crimson Tide staple for more than 20 years, with a mission to provide University of Alabama student-athletes opportunities for growth through personal development and service opportunities. The goal is to empower student-athletes to be difference makers and people of positive influence as they pursue success at Alabama and beyond.
"One of the most rewarding parts of being the head coach of our men's basketball program is watching our student-athletes develop the necessary skills to allow them to succeed both on and off the court," Avery Johnson said. "That would not be possible without the Life Skills program that is offered here at The University of Alabama. From the moment we have a recruit step on campus until he graduates, our staff truly cares about providing student-athletes with every opportunity to achieve their highest goals once their playing career comes to an end."
Life Skills has created a slate of events and seminars for the coming year that will enhance the program's pillars of service, commitment and impact. Things get underway this weekend with the Crimson Tide Kickoff Mixer and BBQ as well as the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Retreat. In addition to coordinating community service projects, Life Skills will host seminars on nutrition and financial health as well as the "BAMA BASICS" series that covers topics like automotive care and cooking.
Programs for both Life Skills and D.R.I.V.E. for Success span both the fall and spring semesters, building through the year.
All the latest information on Alabama Athletics can be found via @UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and Alabama Athletics on Facebook. You can follow Alabama's Life Skills program on Twitter @BamaLifeSkills and D.R.I.V.E. for Success @TideDrive.
