Following a 2 year study of alcohol
use on campus by the Joint Commission on Alcohol, Athletes for Healthy
Choices came into existence in the fall of 1998. In May 1999, the
NCAA awarded Bates College a $30,000 grant over
the course of three years to help further establish the CHOICES
program.
Student-Athletes* from varsity
and club programs, volunteer to serve as Peer Educators.
Using various programs to educate their peers about specific issues,
they concentrate on alcohol, high-risk drinking, sex and violence,
drugs, and team issues.
As
campus leaders, Bates Athletes serve as role models, delivering
their message of making good or “healthy” choices to
all students, including teammates. Peer training begins in September
every academic year and continues as more athletes join the program.
The objectives of CHOICES include:
opportunities for first-year students to recognize the health, legal
and social implications of alcohol abuse through participation in
organized sports and alcohol-education programs
intramurals as a viable leisure and social option for first-year
students, especially on weekend days and weekday evenings
integrating alcohol education into sports team activities through
peer-education efforts; and
providing an opportunity for interested student-athletes to exercise
leadership on issues pertaining to alcohol abuse
*Any student-athlete from a varsity or intercollegiate club team may join by contacting any of the Peer Group members or the director.
Marsha Graef
Assistant Athletic Director
Director of Healthy Choices
Bates College
130 Central Avenue, Alumni Gym
Lewiston, Maine 04240
207-786-6353 phone
207-786-8232 fax