MCLA, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, North Adams, MA.

"MCLA not only gave me a great education in the classroom, it also gave me a chance to learn outside of the classroom. Whether it was on the baseball field, in the community, or working with different clubs and organizations MCLA gave me the chance to grow as a person. I use both my classroom and non-classroom education every day that I’m at work. I have to learn in every situation that presents itself, day after day. The meetings I attend are just like the small classroom settings at MCLA and allow me to feel comfortable. I prepare for those meetings just like I did for a test or a baseball practice. MCLA made me a better person. I feel more confident as a person with my MCLA degree."

Shaun Richards ’03
Operations Assistant, Miami Dolphins

CHOICES

Newsletters April 2008 February 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007	TIPS for the University
Alcohol and the Athlete Handbook	Upcoming Events Wellness Fair Wednesday, April 30^th 11am-2pm Venable Gym -alcohol demonstration-softball/baseball pitch booth

MCLA awarded NCAA CHOICES grant

The Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts has been awarded a three-year, $30,000 grant from the NCAA. The shared goal of the funded program is to engage student-athletes in prevention programs, and diminish the misuse of alcohol among athletes and other MCLA students. This program will employ students who are athletes to help change campus culture through TIPS training and social marketing. MCLA was one of 15 NCAA institutions nationwide to receive a grant. Fifty-eight institutions submitted proposals.

In an effort to educate students about the risks involved with the misuse of alcohol, the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association), through the support of the NCAA Foundation and Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc., developed CHOICES, a grant program for alcohol education.

The three-year grant will be awarded as follows: $15,000 the first year, $10,000 the second year and $5,000 the third year.

Through the CHOICES program, the NCAA provides funding for the NCAA member institutions and conferences to integrate athletics into campus-wide efforts to reduce alcohol abuse. CHOICES projects must partner athletics and other campus partners in the development and implementation of effective alcohol-education projects on college campuses.

Collaboration between the athletics department and other campus organizations involved in alcohol education is a vital element of a CHOICES project. Programs at MCLA will be initiated through the student affairs division, specifically Health Services, Public Safety, Residential Program and Services, Counseling Services, and Student Development.

The NCAA chose the theme “CHOICES” because college students are confronted with a variety of choices on a daily basis, some of which have lasting effects on their lives. The NCAA believes that programs implemented through this grant program will help create an environment that supports and encourages personal CHOICES that are legal, healthy, appropriate and safe.

In addition to MCLA, the following higher education institutions received the NCAA CHOICES program grants for the year 2006-2009: Alabama University at Birmingham, Bemidji State University, Bowling Green State University, California State University, Coker College, DeSales University, Ferris State College, Georgia College & State University, Illinois College, University of Kansas, Linfield College, Ohio University, University of Tulsa, and College of William and Mary.

For more information on the Trailblazers CHOICES programs, please contact Holly McGovern, CHOICES Program Coordinator, Head Women’s Basketball Coach, and Assistant Soccer Coach at MCLA, at 413-662-5130 or at H.Mcgovern@mcla.edu