CU's First-Year Program A Boost For Incoming Buffs Student-Athletes

Although summer is coming to a close, student-athletes in the class of 2027 are counting down the days until their college classroom debut on Aug. 28.

However, the commencement of courses is not the only thing on student-athletes' schedules. For many, the date also commemorates the official start date of their college athletics career.

The University of Colorado recognizes the difficulty of transitioning to college and the CU Athletics Department acknowledges that being a member of a Division I sports team can make the transition appear extra daunting. To help, the CU Scripps Leadership and Career Development Program created the "First-Year Program" (FYP) for freshman student-athletes.

The purpose of FYP is to support the unique needs of student-athletes' transition through skill development as a WHOLE student-athlete at CU. Colorado's WHOLE student-athlete program — focusing on Wellness, Health, and Optimal Life Experience — is a cross-campus collaboration designed to promote student-athlete wellness in all areas.

This summer, the first-year student-athletes in the class of 2027 began the fourth annual FYP in preparation for their first semester at Colorado. FYP Summer is designed to enable Buff student-athletes to successfully transition to the classroom and competitive field at CU by understanding campus resources, developing their new community, and enhancing their skill sets to prepare for and thrive in their first full semester.

"During our summer sessions, we provide student-athletes with access to Athletic Department resources, promoting effective communication, facilitating time management skills, fostering identity through sport and beyond, and encouraging sound decision making and being a good teammate," said Katherine Kubancik, the Assistant Director for Scripps Leadership and Career Development. "These topics have proved to be essential in ensuring that student-athletes are able to balance their academic and athletic responsibilities, while thriving in all areas of their collegiate experience."

In addition to FYP Summer, there are four sessions that occur during the school year to help student-athletes continue to thrive past their freshman year:

Fall Sessions:

"So, You're A Buff, Now What " (a check- in of how things are going)
Finances/Budgeting and Housing in Boulder

Spring Sessions:

Personality types, creating self-awareness, and how to work on a team with different personalities

Celebration and goal setting through thinking about the next steps after school. Whether the goal is to go pro, get a job, or go to graduate school, student-athletes must begin considering the possibilities early.

CU Athletics understands the importance of cultivating a First-Year Program that supports the unique needs of student-athletes' transformation through skill development as a whole student-athlete at CU. Designing an influential program like this requires goals. Prominent FYP goals are:

To support the WHOLE Student-Athlete.

To lay the foundation for the development of self-awareness, self-identity, sense of self, independence, agency, and social responsibility

To foster a sense of community

All the pieces of FYP come together to help CU Athletics continue to pursue its goal of creating a world-class experience for every student-athlete.

CU's First-Year Program A Boost For Incoming Buffs Student-Athletes

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