Student athletes often go to colleges far away from home, and as a result the reinforcement/support mechanism of having family and friends close by is sometimes removed from their lives.

Football player Edward Yeates gives autographs at Armstrong Middle School.

However, thanks to two programs that started three years ago at Mississippi State, their needs are being met.

A mentoring program, which pairs athletes with volunteer faculty and staff members, along with the NCAA-mandated life skills program known as CHAMPS (Challenging Athletes' Minds for Personal Success), helps athletes cope with their changing lifestyles and environments.

Ann Sanders-Carr, a member of the MSU women's basketball squad from 1986 to 90, coordinates the CHAMPS program, which includes the mentoring program.

"We had our CHAMPS program in place, but had not narrowed down everything that was going to be a part of it," said Carr. "Several faculty members came to us and said they wanted to do something for athletes that would be within the NCAA guidelines."

As a result, the mentoring program was born.

"We realized that a mentoring program could fall under CHAMPS and the guidelines for CHAMPS helped us determine how much mentors could do for our student athletes," said Carr. "It didn't change what could be done for athletes, but it paired them with someone they can call and talk to whenever they need to."

Another benefit of the program is that it helps both faculty and athletes see the 'other side' of a person.

"The mentoring program enables athletes to see that faculty and staff are not bad people," she said. "Athletes see the personal side of a faculty or staff member, and in turn they can get to know the personal side of the athlete."

The important thing according to Carr is for the athletes to know they have a support mechanism.

"We want the student athletes to see that they have somebody on campus to talk to other than their coach or academic counselor," she said. "This is another avenue for them to get and experience as much as their time will allow another part of college life."

The mentoring program includes athletes in all sports and is mandatory for all student athletes, but Carr said she doesn't try to police it.

"We don't want the athletes to feel that if they don't participate they will be in trouble, and we don't want the mentors to feel that they have to call every week," she said. "We do tell them if they can't get in touch with the person, then give us a call."

To be sure mentors understand the rules, Carr said a training session is held in the fall.

"We explain to mentors the NCAA guidelines regarding what they can and cannot do for athletes," she said. "We tell the mentors they can have the athlete over for an occasional meal at their house, but if you go out they have to pay for their own meal."

Carr said the mentoring and CHAMPS programs seem to be a good complement. And, while the mentoring program gets athletes acclimated to faculty and staff on campus, CHAMPS gives them the life skills they need after they leave college.

MSU athletes speak to students at Armstrong Middle School in Starkville.

"CHAMPS is designed to promote a well-rounded student athlete as opposed to having them come here for four years, play a particular sport, and get a degree," said Carr. "We want our athletes to get involved in the community and in organizations, but we realize that time is limited, so that's where I come in."

As coordinator, Carr is the point person, so when people from the community call and ask if student athletes can participate in a program they are having at a school or in the community, she takes charge.

"I look at all the athletes' schedules and don't concentrate on only our high profile athletes," she said. "I try to get everyone involved so they participate in some type of community service."

Carr said CHAMPS helps athletes in other ways, too.

"They need to be aware of things like the importance of having insurance or how to keep up with bank accounts once they have their degree and get into society," said Carr. "We want to help them be productive citizens when they leave MSU because not all of them are going to continue in sports on the professional level."