The Charleston Edge is the College of Charleston’s student-athlete development program. The program’s goal is to enhance the student-athlete experience and assist in the holistic development of the student. Topic areas include but are not limited to career, mental health and well-being, community service, financial literacy, NIL education, personal development, and transitions into and out of college. All student-athletes are expected to participate in at least one Charleston Edge opportunity each semester along with various mandatory events.
Cougar Launch
Cougar Launch is a two-year leadership and mentorship program for student-athletes as they begin their junior year. Once accepted, the cohort participates in four workshops a semester centering around growth, confidence, and leadership. Each member of Cougar Launch is connected with a successful community member who will serve as their mentor for the duration of the two-year program.
Pathways to Success
The Pathways to Success workshop series provides opportunities for student-athletes to further their development academically and personally as they move towards future success..
Student-Athlete 101
Student-Athlete 101 is a weekly seminar in the fall that assists first-semester freshmen with the transition to college. Student-athletes will have the opportunity to learn alongside teammates and other student-athletes.
Cougars Speak Up
Led by Ben Kettering, Cougars Speak Up is a program that is aimed at creating a safe space to talk about life balance as a student-athlete. Topics discussed in Cougars Speak Up include performance anxiety and stress management, with a focus on enhancing mental wellness.
One-On-Ones for Career Development
Meeting topics include internship exploration, graduate school application process, and resume and interview preparation. During these meetings, student-athletes will also be connected to various resources on campus depending on their needs.
The Charleston Edge is highlighted by the department-wide team award, the Cougar Cup, community service events, keynote speakers, and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
Cougar Cup
The Charleston Edge culminates with the awarding of the Cougar Cup, which pits our teams against one another in areas of academic excellence, athletic excellence, personal and career development, and community service for the title of Cougar Cup Champions.
Chad Effect Community Service Award
As part of the Cougar Cup program, the Chad Effect Community Service Award is presented to the team with the highest Cougar Cup score for community service. The award is named in honor of former CofC men's basketball student-athlete, Chad Cooke, who passed away in 2014. He was dedicated to serving the Charleston community and its youth.
Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)
As part of the larger Coastal Athletic Association's SAAC, the mission of SAAC is to enhance the total student-athlete experience by protecting student-athlete well-being and nurturing a positive student-athlete image, and to provide an avenue of communication in which student-athletes and administrators discuss issues related to legislation, community service, and student-athlete welfare.
Day of Service
As part of the Athletic Departments initiative to give back to the community, the Charleston Edge assists in putting on the Day of Service. The event happens each academic year in December and is a day where the entire Athletic Department volunteers in the community at one time. On average, the department volunteers at 20 different sites that day.
Keynote Speakers
At least once an academic year, the Charleston Edge will host a keynote speaker for student-athletes to learn more about a specific topic. Examples of previous keynote speakers are Chris Singleton, Thomas Williams, and Chris Herren.
