The purpose of this paper is to describe content and methods of an academic course offered twice annually at an NCAA Division I University. With empirical support to the effectiveness of this academic approach to psychological skills training presented elsewhere (Curry & Maniar, 2003), the focus of this paper is on the type and extent of each intervention treatment during the 15-week semester course (Vealey, 1994). Course content includes applied strategies for best performance targeting, arousal/affect control, identifying purpose, goal setting, imagery, sport confidence, trust, flow, sport nutrition, on-/off-field problem solving, self-esteem, and life skills education on eating disorders and drug/alcohol abuse. Teaching methods include narrative story telling, small group activities, journal writing, cognitive-behavioral homework, brainteasers, and active learning demonstrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

These article provides information on academic support programs for student athletes. Various athletic-academic scandals have forced universities to provide needed academic support to student athletes. Campus consensus on academic support program must be developed by involving central administration, faculty, and athletic department personnel. Before selling up an athletic support program, a careful self-assessment can also serve as an example of institutional reform. A decision must be made whether the program should operate internally in the athletic department or externally in the campus administration. The first step in beginning an academic support program is assessing athletes through testing and records. The program should emphasize skill development and counseling, preferably in programs already existing for the general student body on campus. Budgets for large programs range between $250,000 to $500,000 a year. The program should be annually evaluated by looking at retention and graduation rates of student athletes. The program's success depends on the commitment of the university and the participation of the community.