ACADEMIC SUPPORT
Hampton University has a proud tradition of athletic excellence. In fact, Hampton’s success on the playing field would not be possible without the student-athlete’s success in the classroom. Due to the importance of academics at the University, the Department of Athletics implemented the Athletic Support Program in 1997. The program is headed by Edwina Simmons, Coordinator of Academic Support for Athletics. Mrs. Simmons and her staff are responsible for monitoring the academic progress of all student athletes to ensure that they are meeting NCAA and university rules and regulations. The AAS program also provides study hall, tutorial services, and academic support for the student athletes.
In its effort to provide the student-athlete with the very best tools for success on and off the filed, the AAS program adopted the NCAA Champs/Lifeskills program. Hampton’s version of the program is call "Student Athletes Involved in Learning, Leadership and Service" (S.A.I.L.L.S).
The S.A.I.L.L.S program is geared towards the total development of the student-athlete through athletics, academics, career development, personal development, and community service. The program’s commitment is also to provide an effective study hall program, which facilitates the development of student-athletes as critical thinkers with a variety of integrated learning skills. Student-athletes are given he opportunity to acquire appropriate communication skills and decision-making skills that will enable them to manage their personal and professional lives. The program also assists student-athlete with opportunities to develop the foundation for a lifelong commitment of volunteerism. S.A.I.L.L.S is committed to the goal of assisting in developing the total person.
The S.A.I.L.L.S program has provided various seminars that range from preparing for success in life to time management and drug awareness and responsibility. The program also reaches out to community through Pirates Conquest-Pirates Conquering the Community. Student-athletes visit area elementary, middle, and high schools to speak about the challenges of balancing athletics and academics.
S.A.I.L.L.S is the key to Hampton’s student-athletes present and future achievements, both on and off the field and in the classroom. This program sets out to accomplish the Hampton University mission of an education for life which is to ensure the future success of the student-athlete in both his or her personal and professional lives.
