The California Community College Commission on Athletics (COA) today announced a new partnership agreement with Scholar Baller. The terms of the agreement designate Scholar Baller as a COA affiliate partner through June 2008.
Scholar Baller is a program developed at Arizona State University by Jean Boyd, Assistant Athletic Director for Student Athlete Development at ASU.
Established in 1996, the Scholar Baller program evolved in response to concerns that the student-athlete’s athletic role increasingly superseded the student role. To address this issue, the founding members of Scholar Baller developed a groundbreaking program to bridge the gap between education and sport utilizing student-athletes’ passion for entertainment and athletics.
"There are lots of ways by which athletes are recognized for their athletic accomplishments, but there are very few that recognize academics," said Boyd.
Scholar Baller builds on conventional efforts, creating an atmosphere of success, positive peer pressure and academic competition. Boyd says every member on the team understands the concept of a "baller" - an urban or hip-hop term for a top performer or outstanding athlete. Boyd has challenged the team with the idea of being more than just a baller, but a Scholar Baller, or a top academic performer.
For the length of the agreement, Scholar Baller will provide its program to COA colleges at a significantly reduced contract fee
Scholar Baller will be featured at COA regional and championship events, by way of signage rights, public address announcements, and broadcast and print advertising.
To learn more about Scholar Baller, contact executive director Lisa Strohman at 480.220.4702 or lisa@scholarballer.org.
For more information about the COA’s corporate partnership program, please contact the COA at 916.444.1600 and request a copy of the CD-ROM describing the program or email the COA development office at Svanhorn@coasports.org.
To view the latest news, information and updates of all 23 COA-sanctioned sports, visit www.coasports.org.
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