• Foster positive relationships among participants, college mentors and others in the community.
  • Use a voluntary activity that participants find intrinsically rewarding to teach transferable life skills.
  • Capitalize on the positive peer pressure of the team to make academic achievement the norm.
  • Help students achieve team goals related to academics and career development.
  • Provide leadership opportunities outside of sports, raising each participant’s self-esteem.
  • Provide opportunities for parents and family involvement