"SPURS"- Students Providing Understanding ResourceS - is a new facet of the Hood College Athletics program this year. It is a peer-mentoring program that connects first year, first semester and in-season athletes with a select group of upper-class athletes who will help the new student to adjust to his or her new surroundings here at Hood.

Coming into a college athletic program as a freshman can be intimidating. The purpose of this program is threefold: To provide the incoming student-athletes with their own personal mentor to help them get settled in as soon as they arrive on campus; to help them adjust to both the athletic and academic expectations associated with being an in-season student-athlete; and to connect them with other students and resources that will make their time at Hood memorable, particularly in their first semester.

SPURS mentors are Hood student-athletes who have been recommended by their professors or academic advisors because of their achievements in their classes. They all have the knowledge of proper time management skills and have gone through training to be able to assist the incoming student-athletes assimilate into both the academic and athletic programs. Similar to a "big sibling" program, the SPURS mentors help student-athletes get comfortable here in their new home, Hood College.

Founded by Dr. Ted Chase, Associate Dean of Students, and Jay Butler, Assistant Director of Athletics for Academic Enrichment, the SPURS program will continue to grow and become a permanent presence in the Hood College Athletic program for years to come.

For more information on the SPURS program, click here