Oct. 2, 2002

PROVO, Utah - The Brigham Young University Student Athlete Center recently received the prestigious Division IA CHAMPS Program of Excellence Award presented by the Division IA Athletic Directors' Association at its annual meetings on September 23 in Dallas.

The Program of Excellence Award, which began in 1997, is a lifetime award designed to recognize Division 1A athletic programs that have established student-athlete welfare as the cornerstone of its operating principles. BYU joined the University of Missouri and the University or Oregon as the only schools to receive the award in 2002.

There are currently 117 Division I institutions that administer the NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills program. Since its inception five years ago, just 27 schools have received the Program of Excellence Award.

"It is a great honor to be recognized for our commitment to develop the student-athlete in not only athletic excellence but also career, academic, and personal development," said Sandy Thomas, Assistant Director, Career and Employment Specialist. Thomas and Men's Athletic Director Val Hale attended the awards presentation.

BYU established the Student Athlete Center in April 1999 to provide support and resources to more than 600 student-athletes, enabling them to be successful in their academic pursuits and personal development.

As part of the commitment, BYU has partnered with Intermountain Health Care to develop the "Buff Don't Puff" program, which has had a tremendous effect in teaching elementary school children to not smoke or use drugs. In the past year, BYU student-athletes were involved in more than 70 presentations about the anti-smoking, anti-drug program.

For more information about the BYU Student Athlete Center, go to http://www.byucougars.com/student_athlete_center/