Cal State San Marcos Athletics

 
The Cougar PRIDE program promotes and supports student-athletes in their pursuit of excellence, integrity, responsibility, leadership, and sportsmanship.  The program provides opportunities and support for student-athletes to build character, sharpen life skills, and promote campus and community pride.
 
The Cougar PRIDE program offers tools and resources to help student-athletes in the following five areas: Academics, Athletics, Career Development, Community Service, and Personal Growth.
 
Academics
We strive to provide quality support for our student-athletes from the time their admissions applications are submitted, through commencement, and as CSUSM alumni. We offer several academic support systems for student-athletes including: a GEL 101 section designed specifically for incoming student-athletes that targets helping them learn coping skills to manage the unique challenges they may face, a mentoring program designed to promote a 100% graduate rate for all student-athletes, and open study halls. We will work with campus departments to develop and provide internship opportunities, and we will assist our student-athletes in using the appropriate campus support services to meet their academic needs.
 
Athletics
Our goal is to see our sports teams compete for and win conference/national championships. We strive to have quality coaches who will recruit top student-athletes in their sport.
 
Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is a committee made up of student-athletes assembled to offer insight into the student-athlete experience. This committee was developed to provide our student- athletes with a voice as well as to keep student-athletes informed both within the CSUSM community and beyond. SAAC’s goal is to enhance the total student-athlete experience by promoting integrity, responsibility, leadership, and sportsmanship. SAAC places a strong emphasis on building character through community service and promoting spirit for Cougar Athletics. This committee meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month at 7:00 pm at the Clarke Field House.

Student-Athlete Handbook - contains all pertinent information for CSUSM student-athletes.
 
Career Development
Resources and support are provided to student-athletes to help them develop and pursue life goals. CSUSM provides career workshops for student-athletes as well as career counseling through the Career Services Center. The Athletics Department also offers internships for those interested in the field of sports.
 
Leadership & Service Commitment
Our student-athletes are committed to being positive leaders and contributors both on campus and within the community. For example, our student-athletes serve at local schools providing support in areas such as reading and mentoring. Additionally, as an athletic department, we strive to build partnerships with our local communities and support our student-athletes in giving back to these communities.
 
Personal Growth
Finding balance in life can be a difficult task at times. Being a student-athlete can sometimes make this task even more challenging since student-athletes are often juggling a multitude of demands both on and off the playing field. The Cougar PRIDE program is designed to help student-athletes find balance in their lives, make the most of their experience at CSUSM, and prepare for lifelong successes. The program strives to support student-athletes in becoming both well-rounded individuals and leaders. Some of the resources available to student-athletes are:
 
Personal Growth Workshops on topics such as: stress management, fiscal responsibility, nutrition, diversity & identity, alcohol & drug education, leadership, and goal setting.
 
Sport Psychology focuses on using psychological interventions and tools to enhance both the athletic and academic performance of all student-athletes. While consulting with a Sport Psychology Counselor, student-athletes can learn ways to gain a competitive edge over their competition through mental training skills such as:
 

• setting SMART goals
• improving focus and concentration
• increasing positive thinking and building positive energy
• creating consistency
• managing stress, emotions, and performance anxiety

 
Sport Psychology counseling can also help student-athletes work through personal challenges that may be affecting them on and off the field. Some common challenges faced by student-athletes include: injury recovery, adjustment issues, family conflict, relationship problems, obstacles with team members, low self-esteem, grief issues, alcohol/substance abuse, disordered eating, depression, and stress/anxiety. Sport Psychology Counseling teaches student-athletes effective coping skills that they can use to feel better emotionally and also facilitate peak performance in all aspects of their life. Sport Psychology Counselors also help connect student-athletes with appropriate referrals to campus and community resources. Sport Psychology services can occur through individual consultation, within small groups, or with entire teams.
 
To set up a Sport Psychology consultation session, student-athletes can contact Student Health and Counseling Services at http://www.csusm.edu/shcs/.