National Collegiate Athletic Association

The NCAA News - News and Features

April 20, 1998

SPORTS SCIENCES NEWSLETTER

History of NCAA/Betty Ford Center partnership

Note: This is the first of a series of articles to be submitted by the Betty Ford Center Training department staff. This article provides a brief history of the affiliation between the NCAA and the Betty Ford Center and the development of the Professional in Residence (PIR) Program. Subsequent articles will provide information concerning the NCAA/PIR Program and the latest research and development information regarding alcohol- and drug-abuse prevention on college campuses.

In December 1990, the NCAA and the center joined forces in the fight against alcoholism and other drug addiction through education on college campuses. The program was established to help athletics directors, coaches, athletic trainers, administrators, counselors, sports medicine physicians and others at NCAA schools expand their awareness and understanding of chemical dependency and its treatment.

To achieve the desired goal, a three-and-a-half day program was developed to offer participants a comprehensive combination of education and participation in the patient experience. After a Tuesday evening welcome, orientation, presentation and attendance at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, pairs of participants are assigned to primary inpatient treatment units.

On Wednesday morning, participants are immersed in the treatment experience for the remainder of their program. A majority of each day is spent following the patient schedule; however, participants attend structured learning sessions presented by the Betty Ford Center staff on specific aspects of the program.

The program was designed as an experiential learning model to maximize the opportunity for participants to break free of myths and negative attitudes and beliefs regarding the alcoholic and drug addict. It is the lack of understanding of the human being behind the disease of alcohol and other drug dependency that perpetuates prejudice and results in lack of support for the alcoholic/ addict.

The impact for graduates of the PIR experience is a change in attitude that reinforces the belief that treatment, followed by a lifetime of continuing care for this chronic disease, results in recovery. Participants also leave this experience with enhanced enthusiasm to make a difference on their campuses in the area of alcohol- and drug-abuse prevention. The following typical comments from past participants encapsulate the experience:

  • This has been one of the most powerful experiences of my life. I am profoundly moved by my heightened awareness of addictive disease and the treatment available at the Betty Ford Center.

  • One of the most significant experiences I have ever had. I have made a commitment to support this effort on my campus and in my community.

    The re-sponse of participants has been overwhelmingly positive from the beginning and it continues to this day. Since the first session in February 1991, 389 participants representing 213 schools, have attended this unique and exciting program.

    Invitations and scheduled dates for the program are sent to athletics directors' offices at NCAA member schools during the fall semester of each year.

    For additional information, please call the Betty Ford Center training department at 760/773-4108 or toll free at 800/854-9211, or e-mail at traindept@bettyfordcenter.org.