CU's First-Year Program: Preparing Student-Athletes to Thrive from Day 1
September 16, 2026 | Scripps Leadership & Career Development
Starting college is a big adjustment. For student-athletes, there are new classes, teammates, routines, and responsibilities to balance while getting used to a new environment. To help first-year student-athletes navigate that transition, Scripps Leadership and Career Development creates opportunities for students to connect with their peers, reflect on their experiences, and build leadership skills.
On September 9, 2026, the First-Year Program brought new Buffs together for a night focused on connection, conversation, and community.
The event began with a scavenger hunt designed to help students get to know one another, creating an easy way to introduce themselves, find common interests, and start conversations with people they may not have otherwise met.
Student-athletes then participated in a Four Corners activity, where Buffs created different groups to talk about their experiences coming to CU. For first-year students, the conversations gave them a chance to hear from peers across teams and diverse backgrounds and share similar experiences, building understanding that many of the challenges of starting college are shared.
The event also introduced students to CU Athletics' core values, known as RAPID: Respect, Accountability, Passion, Integrity, and Dedication. Students were encouraged to consider how to reflect on their guiding principles as they adjust to new classes, teammates, routines, and responsibilities.
"This fall, we welcomed a great class of Buffs to campus who are fully bought into their new community. For all of our student-facing departments in athletics, it is essential to provide a space for our new student-athletes to get to know each other, reflect on their experiences on campus so far, and talk about their own personal strengths to add to our winning culture," said Katherine Kubancik, Associate Director of the Scripps Leadership & Career Development program.
The activities reinforced the program's motto, "The more you give, the more you get." By participating, introducing themselves, and staying open to conversation, student-athletes could get more out of the experience and build connections that could continue beyond the event.
For first-year student-athletes, finding a sense of community can make the transition to college easier. The First-Year Program gives them a space to meet others who are going through similar experiences while increasing self-awareness and learning what it means to be a Buff. "For me, I enjoyed FYP because it both allowed me to meet new people and challenged me to think about topics I normally wouldn't. I also believe it was really nice to mesh with other sports, and because of that, I've made some fun new friends," said Dylan Khailer, a first-year member of the Colorado Buffaloes men's track team.
By bringing new Buffs together, Scripps Leadership and Career Development helps first-year student-athletes build connections and a foundation for their time at CU. Through opportunities to meet others, share experiences, and learn about the values that guide CU Athletics, students are reminded they don't have to navigate their first year alone.
