About SASI

Mission Statement

Southeast Region

The Southeast Region SASI Philosophy and Goals focuses on high school student athletes-bringing them together to discuss and develop leadership skills, building greater citizenship skills, learning drug refusal skills, and producing students who promote safe schools. Our Institute is an early prevent/intervention measure for the student athletes themselves. This will be accomplished by encouraging and teaching good decision making and communication skills, promoting healthy and safe lifestyles, gaining an awareness of the risks and hazards of substance use and peer helping. The students will also prepare a plan of action to implement in their individual schools and communities. It will be our commitment that all activities, speakers, curriculum, student athletes and staff members will exhibit high moral and ethical character and these activities will be wholesome and therefore promote the ideal of SASI.

STUDENT ATHLETE SUMMER INSTITUTE

What Is SASI?

As stated by the NCHSAA (North Carolina High School Athletic Association), SASI is a prevention program that targets teams of student athletes enrolled in grades 10, 11, and 12 in North Carolina’s public high schools. The curriculum includes activities centered on leadership development, effective teamwork, and lifelong skills for healthy living. Athletes are selected by their coaches and teachers and participate in a summer residential program followed by a variety of leadership activities held during the school year. Students selected should have leadership potential and an average or above academic record. A coach sponsor assumes responsibility for the SASI team.

What Does All That Mean?

Basically, SASI is an organization that offers its members the chance to learn techniques to take action in their communities to combat negative lifestyles and influences on young adults. These members have the knowledge to be good role models and help deal with their peer's problems. Each member has been taught how to handle most teen issues and where to find information if they are not able to immediately help. Each member has an adult or coach advisor that can be called upon for support and advice in the case that the student/athlete cannot handle a certain situation.

Why Is That Important?

Athletes are the biggest influence among teens across the nation. Whether professional or amateur, every athlete has considerable influence on other students even without intentionally doing so. At SASI, we teach our campers, picked as leaders among their schools, advanced skills through development sessions on how to deal with these arising situations. Each representative has the ability and chance to spread the message of SASI to the student body at large through an action plan developed by their school while attending the SASI summer camp. Each member follows up with its SASI region during the winter reunion held between January and March.

What Are SASI's Goals

Educate

Decrease the detrimental effects of alcohol and other drugs

Peer Pressure Coping

Teach coping techniques for appropriate peer interactions in a variety of settings

Peer Empowerment

Methods of empowerment with anticipated outcomes

Positive Role Model Development

Group discussions of how to be a positive role model with young children and peers

Leadership Skills

Instruction in leadership skills with activities for applying skills

Goal Setting & Planning

Opportunity to design an action plan to take a stand against risk behaviors at home, school, and in the community

How Much Does It Cost?

SASI is one of the only summer camps of it's kind for athlete participants! Each school handles the cost for camp differently, some raise money, some are part of their athletics budget, and others pay individually. The price for the four day camp is $125 per person. In addition, if the athlete attends the Fall Kick-Off in August, the price for the day attendance is $50. Again, each school handles camp cost differently and you should discuss this information with your advisor, however, if an athlete wants to attend, and cost is a factor, we will make it work! The only thing each participant is absolutely required to bring is a great attitude and the willingness to push themselves mentally and physically.

All participants MUST be accompanied by an advisor, unless given prior authorization. Each advisor must attend both sessions during the summer and the reunion in the spring. All advisors have to attend a mandatory training in the spring to learn how to teach the message of SASI. Athletes can attend any SASI camp in the state if your region is not participating on any given year/ Any school can start a program, they just have to contact the NCHSAA, their local SASI Region Director, or myself, and we will be glad to assist you.

How Do I Find Out More

If your school is interested in starting a SASI program, or if you are a student looking to start this program as a club at your school that does not have a program, then you can receive more information at any of these websites:

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Or view our brochure here. Did I mention SASI looks great on college applications!

SASI SOUTHEAST REGION