NCSU Chancellor Talks About Life Skills Program in Wake of Student's Death

The Pack has had plenty of distraction this past week with the arrest of three players in connection with the death of another student.

Chancellor Marye Ann Foxsays N.C. State has one of the best programs in the country for teaching life skills to student athletes.

But all the counseling in the world cannot always keep student athletes out of trouble once they are away from the classroom.

Lessons learned during a life skills program for student athletes apparently did not kick in at the off-campus party that lead to Neil Davis losing his life.

"It could have been avoided if there was no alcohol clouding the judgment of any of the students involved and if a handgun were not available," Fox said.

The football players, wrestlers and gymnasts charged this week all attended the award-winningImPACKprogram, named one of the best in the country by theNCAA.

It is taught by Lin Dawson, a former N.C. State andNew England Patriotsplayer.

"Our kids can have a tremendous impact on younger people if they are willing to step up to the bat," said Dawson.

In the wake of the shooting, the University community is wondering how eight athletes educated in alcohol awareness and conflict resolution ended up charged with crimes.

"We believe in continuous improvement, so we can't say there's no room for improvement, but we really do have a very sound foundation on which to build," said Fox.

Fox says all of the University's programs are under constant review. It's possible some changes could be made in response to Sunday's shooting as the University searches for ways to prevent a tragedy like this from happening again.

All of the student athletes have been suspended from their teams. They have also been brought up before the student judicial board.