CKA SAVE Project

10/08/2026

When a GPA says 87% graduation rates but only 33% college readiness, we have a crisis of measurement—not achievement.

In my latest article, I look at South Carolina's new ban on "grade floors" and what it reveals about the "Resume Gap"—the dangerous distance between what a transcript says and what a young person can actually do.

For 30 years in classrooms, athletic departments, and mentoring roles, I've seen how "keeping students eligible" often replaces actually preparing them. But true compassion doesn't mean lowering the bar; it means building a ladder through Structure, Discipline, and Support (SDS).

Read the full breakdown on how we can move from reactive grade inflation to proactive, preventive mentoring: https://ckasaveproject.org/blog/when-the-floor-becomes-the-ceiling-what-south-carolina-s-grade-floor-ban-teaches-us-about-readiness

CKA SAVE Project empowers student-athletes countrywide with consulting, skill tests, academic monitoring, and our book. Based in Silver Spring.

09/28/2026

The Senate votes on the Protect College Sports Act TODAY.

Pass or fail, legislation can't tell the whole story. Only the people living it can.

The CKA SAVE Project is running three independent studies on athlete motivation, collective bargaining, and coaching in the NIL and Transfer Portal era, and we need YOU.

All sports. All voices.

Take part at www.ckasaveproject.org (Contact tab)
Read the full blog: https://ckasaveproject.org/blog/navigating-the-storm-why-independent-research-and-direct-voices-matter-in-college-athletics

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CKA SAVE Project empowers student-athletes countrywide with consulting, skill tests, academic monitoring, and our book. Based in Silver Spring.

09/24/2026

Where is college athletics headed next?

From the shifting landscape of NIL and the Transfer Portal to the major policy debates surrounding the Protect College Sports Act (PCSA), the rules of college sports are being rewritten. But when policy decisions are made, the unfiltered experiences of the people in the locker rooms and classrooms are too often left behind.

In my latest blog post, "Navigating the Storm: Why Independent Research and Direct Voices Matter in College Athletics," I dive into what the PCSA means for the future and why independent research is the ultimate equalizer.

Read the full article here: https://ckasaveproject.org/blog/navigating-the-storm-why-independent-research-and-direct-voices-matter-in-college-athletics

We Need Your Input! At the CKA SAVE Project, we are advancing research studies to document the true human experience of college sports—and we need direct insights from student-athletes and coaches across all sports. Whether you play football, basketball, softball, track, fencing, or gymnastics, your story matters.

To participate in our research surveys: Visit www.ckasaveproject.org and click the contact tab. Email us directly at [email protected]. Follow us at and .

Help us ensure our student-athletes' futures are protected. One Goal: Balance. One Result: Success.

CKA SAVE Project empowers student-athletes countrywide with consulting, skill tests, academic monitoring, and our book. Based in Silver Spring.

09/24/2026

Behind every successful mission are extraordinary leaders. We are so proud to highlight Roland E. Hairston III, our CKA VIP Project Manager and a master's graduate in Intercollegiate Athletic Leadership from the University of Washington!

Roland’s dedication to relational leadership and holistic student-athlete development has been instrumental in shaping our virtual incubator. Alongside our talented cohort of student-athletes, Roland is helping prove that elite athletic competition and professional preparation can go hand in hand.

As we kick off our Fall Fundraiser, leaders like Roland ensure that our programs continue to thrive, providing vital resources for conferences, travel, and expanding our reach.

Whatever you can give—or even a quick share—means the world to our team and the students we serve. Thank you for believing in our mission!

Make your donation or learn more here: https://app.schoolfundr.org/fund/cksavefall2026/guMyP?utm_source=link&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=oneclick

One Goal: Balance. One Result: Success.

Hello! I'm raising funds for CKA SAVE PROJECT Fall Fundraiser and would love your support. You can click here to make your donation - thank you!

09/12/2026

The Future of College Sports is Hanging in the Balance. Where do Student-Athletes Stand?

With the Senate set to take up the Protect College Sports Act on Capitol Hill, the stakes have never been higher for coaches, administrators, and student-athletes. Dueling news conferences are expected as lawmakers, athletes, and stakeholders clash over federal intervention, NIL standardization, and player rights.

At the CKA SAVE Project, our mission is clear: One Goal: Balance. One Result: Success. As higher education and major college sports face potential untethering, independent support systems and academic readiness are more critical than ever.

The Odd Coaches Podcast—The Global Authority on Coaching Leadership—has gone straight to the source to break down what this legislation means for the landscape of NCAA athletics:

🎙️ Episode 826: Ross Dellenger on the Future of College Sports Yahoo Sports senior college sports reporter Ross Dellenger joins Dr. Keith Adams to unpack the Protect College Sports Act, ongoing revenue-sharing loopholes, transfer portal chaos, and the growing academic blind spot in modern college athletics. 🔗 Watch Episode 826 on YouTube

🎙️ Episode 822: College Athletes Are Fighting for a Voice with Jason Stahl CFBPA Executive Director Jason Stahl sits down with Dr. Keith Adams to discuss the historic Stanford player-led chapter launch, the push for unionization, and why collective bargaining may offer a more sustainable path forward than federal legislation. 🔗 Watch Episode 822 on YouTube

Join the movement to protect student-athletes on and off the field.

🌐 Learn more about our work: www.ckasaveproject.org

🎧 Subscribe to the Odd Coaches Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, and iHeartRadio.

08/03/2026

Showing Up Matters: Elevating Leadership Through College Sports Journalism 🎙️📚

Every August, college athletics begins anew. New coaches arrive, student-athletes chase lifelong dreams, and championships are imagined. But while the scoreboard captures the headlines, the most important stories in sports are built long before the opening whistle—in the meeting rooms, leadership summits, and classrooms where true culture is shaped.

As the Odd Coaches Podcast enters its sixth year of weekly programming, we are proud to launch our coverage for the 2026–2027 season through the OCP Global Access Initiative.

From producing over 800 episodes to providing credentialed on-site coverage at major national events, our mission at the CKA SAVE Project remains steadfast: helping student-athletes achieve success Beyond the Scholarship.

We believe that sports media should choose: 🔹 Conversation over confrontation 🔹 Context over controversy 🔹 Credibility over clicks 🔹 Leadership over noise

Thank you to the coaches, athletic administrators, sports information directors, and educational leaders who partner with us to tell the stories that too often go untold. We look forward to seeing you on campus this season!

🔗 Read the full blog post here: https://ckasaveproject.org/blog/showing-up-matters-how-the-odd-coaches-podcast-is-elevating-leadership-through-college-sports-journalism

CKA SAVE Project empowers student-athletes countrywide with consulting, skill tests, academic monitoring, and our book. Based in Silver Spring.

07/08/2026

The Future of Student-Athlete Development Has Arrived 🏆

Here's the truth: talent alone doesn't guarantee what comes after the final whistle. Today's student-athletes need leadership skills, branding know-how, and real professional experience — but the demands of their sport often leave no room to "find more time."

That's where the CKA Virtual Internship Program (CKA VIP) comes in. We don't ask athletes to find more time — we teach them to maximize the time they already have.

Through our 100% asynchronous, grace-based program, student-athletes build a real executive portfolio while still competing — leading fundraising campaigns, driving social strategy for the Odd Coaches Podcast, conducting national research, and serving as on-site leads for major events.

This is career development running parallel to competition — not starting after it ends. 💪

📌 Read more about our CKA VIP: https://ckasaveproject.org/blog/the-future-of-student-athlete-development-has-arrived

One Goal: Balance. One Result: Success.

CKA SAVE Project empowers student-athletes countrywide with consulting, skill tests, academic monitoring, and our book. Based in Silver Spring.

07/06/2026

Too often, we tell young athletes that success is defined solely by earning a scholarship. But a scholarship is only the beginning. The real goal is graduating with the skills, confidence, and purpose to build a meaningful life.

I’ve spent three decades in classrooms, on sidelines, and in athletic departments, and I know firsthand the challenges today’s students face. That is why I founded the CKA SAVE Project. We aren't just a tutoring service; we are a comprehensive development ecosystem designed to close the "Resume Gap" and ensure that student-athletes thrive both on and off the field.

In my latest blog, I pull back the curtain on our programs, our research, and why I’m more committed than ever to supporting the next generation of leaders.

👉 Read the blog here: https://ckasaveproject.org/blog/building-better-students-developing-better-athletes-creating-better-futures

Join us in our mission of Building Better Students, Developing Better Athletes, and Creating Better Futures.

CKA SAVE Project empowers student-athletes countrywide with consulting, skill tests, academic monitoring, and our book. Based in Silver Spring.

06/08/2026

TIME IS RUNNING OUT! ⏰

Today is the very last day to support our CKA Virtual Internship Program (VIP) fundraiser!

At the CKA SAVE Project, we’re dedicated to closing the "Resume Gap" for student-athletes. We believe in providing the structure, discipline, and support necessary to turn athletic intensity into professional success.

Every dollar raised helps us sustain our programs—from the CKA Career Launch Academy to our Post Graduate Academy and the Balanced Student-Athlete of the Month initiative.

We’re fostering change through "Conversation over Confrontation." Help us hit our goal and provide our students with the agency they need to succeed long after their playing days are over.

🔗 Click the link to make your final contribution! https://app.schoolfundr.org/fund/cksavevip2026?utm_source=link&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=oneclick

Hello! I'm raising funds for CKA VIP Fundraiser and would love your support. You can click here to make your donation - thank you!

06/01/2026

🏀 Big news, basketball fans! Join the CKA SAVE Project and the Odd Coaches Podcast for an epic NBA Finals Watch Party! 🏀

Let’s come together for a night of hoops, community, and advocacy as we continue our mission to bridge the "Resume Gap" for student-athletes. Every dollar raised supports our key initiatives, including the CKA Virtual Internship Program (CKA VIP) and the CKA Post Grad Academy (CKA PGA).

📅 When: Friday, June 5, 2026 | 8:00–11:00 PM EST 📍 Where: The Greene Turtle, Burtonsville, MD 🎟️ How to Join: Suggested donation of $50. 🔗 Donate & RSVP: www.ckasaveproject.org/donate

Help us build a new playbook for the next generation of leaders. See you there!

CKA SAVE Project empowers student-athletes countrywide with consulting, skill tests, academic monitoring, and our book. Based in Silver Spring.