NCAA Mission Statement
The mission of the NCAA is to maintain intercollegiate athletics as an integral part of the campus educational program and the athlete as an integral part of the student body. With this in mind, the CHAMPS/Life Skills Program was created to support the student development initiatives of its member institutions and to enhance the quality of the student-athlete experience within the university setting.

Gonzaga Mission Statement
...We hope that the integration of liberal humanistic learning and skills with a specialized competence will enable our graduates to enter creatively, intelligently, and with deep moral conviction into a variety of endeavors, and provide leadership in the arts, the professions, business, and public service.

Through its academic and student life programs, the Gonzaga community encourages its students to develop certain personal qualities: self-knowledge, self-acceptance, a restless curiosity, a desire for truth, a mature concern for others, and a thirst for justice.

...We hope that our graduates will live creative, productive, and moral lives, seeking to fulfill their own aspirations and at the same time, actively supporting the aspirations of others by a generous sharing of their gifts.

Commitment to Academic Excellence:
Gonzaga University prides itself on performance not only on the court or field, but also in the classroom. Each year about 30% of the student-athletes earn a spot on the President's or Dean's list per semester. The student-athletes also average a 3.2 GPA per semester.

The Martin Centre at Gonzaga University is home to the Student-Athlete Academic Support Lab. Click on the link above for more information. At Gonzaga, we support the academic progress of the student-athlete toward intellectual development and graduation.

Commitment to Athletic Excellence:
Gonzaga University strives to build programs and opportunities for student-athletes that are broad-based, equitable and dedicated to the well-being of the student-athlete. Gonzaga is committed to the athletic excellence of its sports teams and each individual student-athlete. This commitment is apparent in the construction of new facilities, hiring of the best coaches available, and overall support to athletic teams and athletes.

Commitment to Personal Development:
Gonzaga University incorporates programs that work with student-athletes in becoming well-rounded individuals. With the Life Skills Program, GU is better able to work with individuals in developing a healthy lifestyle and good habits that will benefit them throughout their life. Gonzaga is committed to encouraging the well-being, personal growth and decision-making skills for all student-athletes. Speakers on nutrition, drug/alcohol/tobacco use and more are brought yearly to help the student-athletes learn more about personal-growth issues.

Commitment to Career Development:
The Life Skills Program also helps prepare our student-athletes for life after college and the end of their intercollegiate athletic careers. Gonzaga's Student-Athlete Academic Support Lab is an asset to student-athletes to gather more information on their career path and progress. Gonzaga's Career Center and Career Assessment & Counseling are other offices on campus to facilitate the career research and development. Gonzaga encourages student-athletes to develop and pursue career and life goals in their field of choice.

Commitment to Service:
The last component of Life Skills is serving the community. Student-athletes are provided with many opportunities to serve the campus and the Spokane community to help those in need through a variety of projects. The following is a list of some of the projects that Gonzaga University's student-athletes have or do participate in:

• Habitat for Humanity
• Read to Succeed
• Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery
• Union Gospel Mission
• Fit for Bloomsday Training Leaders
• Read Across America
• American Cancer Society
• March of Dimes
• GU Relay for Life
• Read-a-thon's at local elementary schools
• Gonzaga Athletes Mentoring for Excellence (GAME)
• Shriner's
• Campus Kids
• Boys and Girls Club