NORFOLK, Va. – For the third time in its history, the NCAA has approved significant funding for the Norfolk State University Department of Athletics and its academic enhancement efforts.

NSU was recently awarded a $100,000 grant – the maximum distributed this year – through the NCAA's Accelerated Academic Success Program (AASP) for the 2022-23 academic year.

"Our mission is to provide our student-athletes with a holistic experience throughout their tenure at Norfolk State University. The initiatives introduced in this grant allow us to fill the gaps created by the student-athletes' unique time demands while expanding access to areas that further promote our commitment to leadership and well-being," NSU Athletics Director Melody Webb said. "This funding will enable us to continue to provide opportunities and resources that further our mission."

NSU's grant proposal centered around three initiatives: Spartaneurship/NIL Academy, SMART Tech Café and the C.L.E.A.R. Leadership Academy. The NIL Academy aims to educate and empower all student-athletes at NSU to make informed decisions regarding their Name, Image and Likeness. This program will be explicitly shaped to adhere to the NSU ideals of pride, integrity, engagement, curiosity, excellence and civility.

The SMART Tech Café will enhance the nutrition of the Norfolk State University student-athletes, assisting them in performing at an elite level academically and athletically. It will also serve as a designated area for student-athletes to engage in virtual and interactive learning.

The C.L.E.A.R. Leadership Academy – which stands for Commitment to Leadership, Excellence, Achievement, and Results – aims to develop highly effective leaders for a lifetime of service and success. The CLEAR Leadership Academy, now in its third year at NSU, provides intensive, comprehensive and innovative leadership development programming through interactive workshops, speaker series, one-on-one coaching and educational resources.

"We are so excited to be a recipient of the 2022 NCAA AASP Single-Year Grant and continue to be appreciative of opportunities to secure resources to enhance our student-athlete experience," Dr. Ivana Rich, NSU's associate athletics director for administration/senior woman administrator, said. "This grant will support initiatives that will have a significant impact on student-athlete success while assisting our institution in providing a holistic student-athlete experience."

The NCAA annually awards more than $1 million in AASP grants to colleges and universities with limited resources to help boost academic programs and initiatives, which tie to graduation and the overall success of its student-athletes. The AASP was established in 2012.