Posted on December 30th, 2025
We celebrate when student-athletes sign scholarships. We cheer when they score touchdowns, sink three-pointers, and break records. But what happens when the final buzzer sounds on their athletic careers? For too many young people, especially those from underserved communities, the answer is profoundly disappointing.

The statistics tell a sobering story: At the 65 wealthiest Power Five universities, only about 55% of Black male student-athletes graduate within six years. Despite the spotlight, the scholarships, and the promises, we're failing these young people at an alarming rate. In an era dominated by NIL deals, transfer portal decisions, and unprecedented pressures, student-athletes face professional-level complexities without professional-level support.

This is exactly why I founded the CKA SAVE Project over 15 years ago, and why our work has never been more urgent.

The Problem: Pro-Level Challenges Without Pro-Level Support

Today's student-athletes navigate a landscape that would overwhelm seasoned professionals. They're making six-figure NIL decisions as teenagers. They're weighing transfer portal options that could alter their entire futures. They're managing academic demands that would challenge any full-time student while training 30-40 hours per week.

Yet most receive little more than a playbook and a class schedule. You wouldn't let a high schooler walk onto an NFL field without training. So why do we expect them to make career-defining decisions without comprehensive guidance?

My Journey: From the Court to the Classroom

I've lived both sides of this story. As a student-athlete myself, I struggled to find balance between the weight room and the library, between team obligations and academic deadlines. Later, as a high school teacher, coach, athletic director, and department chair spanning three decades, I witnessed countless talented young people lose their way because they lacked the holistic support system they desperately needed.

This personal and professional experience drove me to pursue doctoral research examining the relationship between academic and athletic motivation among NCAA Division I student-athletes. What I discovered was revelatory: there's a statistically significant connection between how motivated student-athletes feel academically and athletically. When we support one dimension, we strengthen both.

But knowledge without action is just theory. That's why the CKA SAVE Project exists.

A Comprehensive Solution: What We Provide

The CKA SAVE Project operates on a simple but powerful principle: Experience Matters When Your Future Is On The Line.

We provide what student-athletes actually need to succeed:

Academic Excellence Programs that go beyond tutoring to include continuous academic monitoring, skills assessments, and personalized intervention strategies. Our Academic Baseball Card assessment proactively identifies students at risk and provides targeted support before they fall behind.

NIL and Transfer Portal Guidance that helps student-athletes navigate the modern collegiate landscape with clarity and confidence. We don't just explain the rules; we provide strategic consulting that protects eligibility while maximizing opportunity.

Virtual Internship Programs that solve a critical problem: student-athletes rarely have time for traditional internships. Our NCAA-compliant virtual internship program provides meaningful work experience, professional development, and fair compensation while working around demanding athletic schedules.

Financial Literacy training that prepares student-athletes for life after sports, because 99% of college athletes won't go pro in their sport—but 100% need career skills.

Mental Health and Well-Being Support through our Stay CONNECTED framework, which guides students through professional and personal challenges with resilience and balance.

Proven Impact: From Research to Results

Our approach isn't theoretical—it's battle-tested. Over the past 18 months alone, we've:

Conducted groundbreaking research at the NCAA Men's Final Four and Black Student-Athlete Summit
Hosted over 25 students at the Allen Sack National Symposium at Howard University sponsored by The Drake Group Education Fund.
Partnered with the Opendorse Bowl Series to recognize balanced student-athletes through our Balanced Student-Athlete Award
Created the nation's first Virtual Student-Athlete Internship Program in direct response to concerns voiced by student-athletes themselves

Our work has been presented at national conferences including Learning Forward, the Black Doctoral Network, and AMLE. But the real validation comes from the student-athletes we serve.

"Coach Adams has consistently prioritized our academic pursuits over our athletic goals, and it reflects in the success his student-athletes have achieved both on and off the court," says Folarin Campbell, former college basketball player at George Mason University.

Legendary college basketball coach Cliff Warren puts it simply: "Dr. Adams leads with integrity, vision, and heart—qualities that inspire true change. I trust him fully and proudly support his mission. His impact is both vital and urgently needed."

Moving the Conversation Beyond the Scholarship

Here's what frustrates me: we've made student-athlete support far too complicated. Athletic departments create elaborate academic support systems, yet graduation gaps persist. Universities invest millions in facilities, yet student-athletes leave unprepared for careers. We celebrate getting student-athletes into college but ignore whether they successfully get out.

The CKA SAVE Project cuts through this complexity with an integrated, holistic approach grounded in three decades of real-world experience and rigorous academic research. We're not another well-meaning program with good intentions. We're a proven, comprehensive infrastructure for student-athlete success in the 21st century.

Through initiatives like The Odd Coaches Podcast and my book "Finding the Balance: My Personal Journey to Academic and Athletic Success," we're creating a national conversation about what student-athletes truly need. We're building a movement, not just a program.

A Call to Action: Partner With Us

The CKA SAVE Project has been the best-kept secret in student-athlete support for too long. It's time to change that.

If you're a student-athlete struggling to balance academics and athletics, we provide the clarity and comprehensive support you need.

If you're a parent watching your child navigate the recruiting process, NIL decisions, or transfer portal complexities, we offer expert guidance at every stage.

If you're an educator, coach, or administrator seeking proven, data-driven programs that enhance your existing support systems, we deliver results backed by 30 years of educational leadership.

If you're a policymaker or institutional leader committed to equity and student-athlete well-being, we're your partner in creating meaningful change.

The modern student-athlete journey is complex, demanding, and unforgiving. But it doesn't have to be overwhelming. With the right support, every student-athlete can find their balance, achieve their potential, and build a meaningful life beyond sports.

Because here's the truth that keeps me working every day: these young people deserve better. They deserve comprehensive support that honors both their athletic talents and their academic potential. They deserve guidance from someone who's walked their path and dedicated his career to making theirs easier.

They deserve to not just get into college—but to get out successfully, with a degree, a plan, and a future filled with possibility.

That's what the CKA SAVE Project provides. That's what I'm committed to delivering.

When your future is on the line, experience matters.

Dr. Keith Adams, Ed.D., CMAA, is the President and Founder of the CKA SAVE Project, Inc., the national leader in holistic student-athlete development. With over 30 years of combined academic and athletic experience, Dr. Adams is a published author, podcast host, and nationally recognized advocate for student-athlete success.

To learn more or discuss how the CKA SAVE Project can support your student-athletes, contact: ckasave@ckasaveproject.org | www.ckasaveproject.org | Follow @ckasaveproject on all platforms

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