Honoring Holistic Excellence: Beyond the Scoreboard
The CKA SAVE Project is proud to announce that our Balanced Student-Athlete of the Month Award is now open nationwide!
In today's competitive landscape, athletic accomplishments often overshadow academic success and character development. We are here to redress that balance. This initiative honors middle school, high school, and collegiate student-athletes across the country who embody the CKA SAVE Project motto of "Finding the Balance"—excelling not just in their sport, but in the classroom and their communities.
Self-nominations are encouraged. Whether you are scoring the winning point or acing a final exam, we want to hear your story.
Eligibility Requirements
We are looking for well-rounded individuals who lead by example. To be considered, a nominee must meet the following criteria:
- Enrollment: Be a current student-athlete in good standing at a public or private middle school, high school, or collegiate institution (NCAA Division 1, 2, 3, NAIA, NJCAA, NCCAA)
- Academics: Maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher
- Athletics: Be a significant contributor to their athletic team
- Community: Actively participate in community service, social change advocacy, or volunteer services
How to Submit a Nomination
Nominations are accepted from student-athletes (self-nominations), coaches, administrators, and faculty members.
To apply or nominate a student-athlete, please email [email protected] with the subject line: "Balanced Athlete Nomination: [Name of Athlete]"
Please ensure your email includes the following documentation:
- Athlete Information: Name, school, sport, and graduation year (e.g., Class of 2029)
- Academic Verification: Proof of cumulative GPA (2.5 or higher)
- Statement of Support: A written statement explaining why the nominee deserves to be recognized as the Balanced Athlete of the Month. Please highlight their athletic contributions and specific community service or advocacy work
Submission Deadline: Materials must be received by the 15th of the month (September through April) to be considered for that month's selection.
Award Recognition
Recipients of this award, given monthly from October through April, receive well-deserved recognition for their hard work, including:
- Official Certification: A CKA SAVE Project Balanced Athlete of the Month certificate
- Digital Spotlight: A feature on the CKA SAVE Project website for the selected month
- Media Feature: On-air recognition on the Odd Coaches Podcast, celebrating their achievements with a national audience
Ready to nominate a balanced student-athlete? Contact us at [email protected] today!
We're Here to Support Your Journey
We are committed to providing comprehensive support to student-athletes across the nation, so whether you have questions about our programs, need personalized guidance, or want to learn more about how you can contribute to our mission, we are here to help.