Product Description

The first CHAMPS/Life Skills programs began in the early 1990’s and since then have erupted: more than 450 colleges and universities currently have progams. The University of Arizona has been used as a model nationwide for programming in academics, athletics, personal development, career development and community service. The importance of life skills and of having a broad based experience cannot be overestimated and there is a push for much more programming at the high school level.

In collaboration with the NCAA, student-athletes were surveyed at the NCAA Foundation Leadership Conference, through life skills program coordinators, as well as national student-athlete advisory committees. Dr. Cedric Dempsey, former President of the NCAA has written the foreword for this groundbreaking book that details NCAA student-athlete’s experiences in the 5 areas of CHAMPS/Life Skills. Student-athletes share their top pieces of advice in each area, what they would do differently, obstacles they’ve overcome, best practices and reasons for their success. Included is an approach the author introduces as P-Factor Analysis. By examining seven "P’s": Personalization, Preparation, Process, Problem Solving, Persistence, Perspective, and Pausing, student-athletes can evaluate their strengths and weaknesses and make an individualized "game plan" for improvement. This book also looks at the three "C’s" of transition: Changes, Challenges and Choices. Listed in this section are the issues student-athletes have identified that they face. Then we get student-athletes to challenge their current assumptions – are their assumptions accurate? The rest of the book is thoughtful and insightful quotes in each of the areas. The need for this book is overwhelming according to many in the field and as one coach commented, "This should be REQUIRED reading for EVERY student-athlete."

Research has shown that students will often turn to their peers for advice. This is the only book on the market that is specific to student-athletes, to CHAMPS/Life Skills and that offers peer-peer advice. Practical advice and shared experiences covering a wide range of topics make this book different from the others. The response thus far has been tremendous and the book is being endorsed by, among others, Jackie Joyner Kersee, Lute Olson, Dick Vitale, Lorena Ochoa, Doug Weight, Mike Candrea, Ann Meyers Drysdale, renowned sports psychologist Dr. Jim Loehr, Steve Kerr, Jennie Finch, and former Division One National Student-Athlete Advisory Committee President, Michael Aguirre. The book has been enthusiastically received by Life Skills coordinators, coaches, counselors, advisors, administrators, parents and most importantly…student-athletes! To date, more than 150 schools are supporting it as well as the U.S. Olympic Committee, the National Junior College Association, the National High School Coaches Association and others.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #981050 in Books
• Published on: 2003-03-01
• Binding: Paperback
• 154 pages

From the Inside Flap
"If I Knew Then What I Know Now is exceptional. Based on my experiences it is what any student-athlete needs to know. I also found P-Factor Analysis powerful and easy to apply. This is an important and essential book for any student-athlete. I absolutely recommend it!" Jackie Joyner Kersee, Olympic Champion

"Watching my girls chase their dream of being a student-athlete at a big time college, a book such as this could have provided a strong foundation for understanding what to expect. This is a MUST READ for student-athletes. It’s awesome baby!" Dick Vitale, ESPN

"We are all looking for bits of inspiration and insights. This book is loaded with great tips - practical, helpful, everyday things, that if done, can make a huge difference! It's as motivational as it is educational. Although geared toward student-athletes, it's really a book about succeeding in life. A great read for parents, coaches and teachers too!" Lute Olson - Hall of Fame Basketball Coach, University of Arizona

"Success in life is about more than being good in your sport. And what separates great players sometimes has nothing to do with the game itself. This book shows you why developing in all areas can be the most important thing you ever do. It lays the groundwork for what it takes to be a winner – in your sport and in life." Doug Weight, St. Louis Blues, 3-Time All Star, 2-Time Olympian

"This book has an uplifting and inspirational tone that made me enjoy reading it and want to read on. It addresses pertinent issues that can be applied to student athletes at any college or university. I enjoyed the quotations from famous people in history and especially those by the student- athletes. What they say is valid, insightful and makes a lot of sense. I enjoyed being able to read through the quotations and identify with one of the sports, but at the same time I found it important to be able to see the diverse responses of those athletes in different sports. I like the rhetorical questions throughout the book. It helped me as a reader engage and really think about what I was reading. As an athlete, I found the application of many of the concepts to athletics to be especially helpful." Kelly McCabe, Former Softball Player University of Virginia

"Looking back on my freshman year in college I realize how little I knew about what it would take to make my college years a success. The wisdom gained from actually living the life of a student-athlete can be immense. If I had known in my freshman year what I knew by my fifth year, my experience would undoubtedly have been even more fulfilling than it was. A book that helps to share some wisdom from the 'veterans' so that the 'rookies' may benefit is a wonderful idea. To learn from those who have gone before us is invaluable. This book containing testimonials from so many successful current and former student-athletes can serve as a great guide down the path of a young adult's collegiate experience--both on and off the field." Michael Aguirre – Former Division 1 National Student-Athlete Advisory Council President

"If I Knew Then What I Know Now" is a dynamic, fully integrated approach to the real life problems of student athletes. Helping student athletes acquire life skills that both enhance and drive personal effectiveness is the core of this books promise---and that promise is delivered in a genuinely exciting way. Superb!" Dr. Jim Loehr, Sport Psychologist, CEO, LGE Performance Systems

"Over the years, I have strongly encouraged my teams to get involved with our CHAMPS/Life Skills program (C.A.T.S.). Without question, it has helped them create BALANCE in their life, become more well-rounded and have a better overall college experience. This book can help tremendously in getting freshmen off to a strong start that will positively affect everything that they do. If you want to be successful in your sport and in life, read this book!" Mike Candrea, Softball Coach University of Arizona, 6 National Championships, USA Olympic Head Coach 2004

"We will be using it for sure next fall for our class. It is great and follows closely what we are presently doing...without a book. I haven't previously found one that I thought fit our needs. We will look forward to putting it to use!" Karen Nelson, Assistant Athletics Director, University of Oregon

"How wonderful and lucky to have a book that offers such insight, guidance and information! Not only for the student-athlete, but for parents, teachers and coaches too. This is a book about life, not just athletics. Where was something like this when I was about to embark on my next journey through college? I will be using it in numerous ways now though - it's great!" Ann Meyers Drysdale, ESPN, Olympian, Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame

"I learned so much in college and because of all my experiences I now feel prepared for the next phase of my life. This book covers just about everything you can go through - it's comforting to know lots of us went through the same things. I couldn't stop reading the quotes - they're so true!" Jennie Finch, USA Softball, Honda Award Winner, College World Series MVP 2001. "I love this book. It makes you think, yet provides an easy to follow approach that you can put to immediate use. It identifies key areas to analyze and the quotes reinforce those ideas. I found P-Factor Analysis to be a great evaluation tool. It’s different from any other book I have read. Complete, concise and thoroughly enjoyable!" Mary Bowman, Assistant Athletics Director, Student-Athlete Support Services, University of Utah

"The CHAMPS program helped tremendously in my growth. Especially being an international student-athlete, I appreciated and utilized lots of the resources that were available. The concepts and principles in this book are as important now on tour as they were when I was in college. This book is perfect for recreational players to professional athletes. Muy bueno! " Lorena Ochoa, Future's Tour Rookie/Player of the Year 2002, LPGA Tour

"I would have loved to have had this book in my hands as a freshman. I was young, naive and not quite prepared for the academic and athletic rigors I was about to face. This book would have helped me prepare for the challenges ahead. Becky Bell is a recognized leader in her field. Her wealth of personal insights and experiences make this book a must read for any student-athlete. And I loved the quotes! I highly recommend it." Steve Kerr, San Antonio Spurs, 5-Time NBA Champion

About the Author
Becky Bell has been the Director of C.A.T.S. Life Skills in the University of Arizona athletics department since 1997. She is a former student-athlete and All-American at UCLA (tennis), and also played one year of junior varsity basketball for the Bruins. After receiving her undergraduate degree in Kinesiology in 1981, she was an assistant tennis coach at UCLA for 5 years (including the 1981 National Championship, and 3 Final Four appearances) before assuming the head coaching duties at the University of Arizona. 12 years at the helm resulted in two Regional Coach of the Year awards and 6 top-10 finishes for the Wildcats, including one Final Four and a National Championship doubles team in 1993. She has also been a member of, and national coach for, the USTA (United States Tennis Association) Jr. Federation Cup teams and competed for a brief time professionally.

Becky earned her first Master’s degree in Sports Administration in 1994 and her second Master’s degree in Counseling (with an emphasis in Career Counseling) in 1997. She has made numerous national presentations and has spoken at many conferences and forums. She currently serves on the National 1A CHAMPS Executive Board of Advisors.

Drawing on a successful playing and coaching career, Becky brings over 25 years of insights and experience in intercollegiate athletics to this book.