CATS program keeps athletes on track

Leigh-Anne Brown Arizona Daily Wildcat Chima Ugwu, sociology senior, (left) and Tim Boyle, a CATS tutor, have a laugh during an anthropology session in the McKale Center on Tuesday night. Ugwu plays football and runs track for the UA.

But with the emergence of freshman stars like Mike Bibby, Erin Aldrich, and Amy Skieresz that are too good to keep out of the lineup, their futures become the present.

And this is where Arizona's "lifeskills programs" come in to play.

As a part of the Commitment to Athletes' Total Success (CATS) division, programs are designed for student-athletes making a transition from high school to the collegiate level.

"It's a multifaceted program and we really try and focus on personal development, career development and community service," said Becky Bell, director of the CATS Personal Development Program. "We help student-athletes learn to deal with such issues as nutrition, self-esteem, financial responsibility and setting career goals."

Arizona's program was established eight years ago by former athletic director Cedric Dempsey and current Senior Associate Athletic Director Rocky LaRose, and is seen as one of the premier programs of its kind in the nation.

"Other universities have looked at what we have done and tried to implement their own enhancement program," said Bell, who is in her first year as director after leaving her post with the women's tennis team. "Since we began, about 200 schools have followed in Arizona's footsteps."

Incoming athletes are required to attend a special orientation that specifically targets each issue. Included is a Health and Wellness seminar that looks at subjects like dating violence and substance abuse.

One rapidly growing area in the CATS division is its "Links to Internships and Future Employment" (LIFE) program. It helps student-athletes get professional experience in the workplace.

"We are beginning to do much more work in helping students find internships and improve their career opportunities," Bell said. "We have a great network of people in the community that help us place our athletes in productive positions."

"It's kind of like a mini career service center," said creative writing senior and former UA gymnast Becky Bowers. "(Bell) helps you with getting internships and jobs. Let's say you want an internship in television, you just tell her and next time you see her she has already made you some connections."

Former UA soccer player Jennifer Rickard is one example of the program's success.

"I have a job interview this weekend and the main reason they are considering me is because of my internships in college." said Rickard who is graduating in December with a an interdisciplinary studies degree. "I totally attribute my success in gaining internships to the CATS program."

The program also holds various seminars and workshops on subjects that are requested during the season.

"In the beginning of the year, we send a list of topics to the different coaches and wait for their input on which subjects to discuss," said UA Mental Training Consultant Jeff Janssen.

One such idea that has been well received is the implementation of a Peer Athletic Leadership (PAL) program.

"The PAL program involves each team selecting two members, usually juniors or seniors, to serve as mentors for some of the younger players," Janssen said. "It gives the new players someone to turn to that has been there before."

While freshmen experience a difficult transition, sometimes the sophomore year is the hardest for an athlete.

"Some young players are a bit naive and don't realize the magnitude of the situation when they are performing. And in some ways that is a good thing," Janssen said. "After one season, though, the national visibility of playing at Arizona sits in."

There are times when the program's small staff needs some outside help and turns to the community for support.

"Our CATS network in the community has been vital to our success. There are many individual experts that we can turn to," Bell said. "We also work with Student Health on many issues."

The convienence of the program is another plus, especially considering the tough schedule of current athletes.

"You truly can end your weightlifting routine, drop off your resume for (Bell) to look at, and go to the training room," Bowers said. "And when you're done, you go back and she has already made comments on it."

And while this program has a broad scope, there are a few major areas targeted by the staff.

"We want to help the students get experience for their career, help them excel in school and handle the pressures that come with playing collegiate sports and keep them interested in their community and giving back," Janssen said. "We want these kids to be looked on as role models by the next generation of athletes."