Long Beach State University Athletics
Long Beach State To Receive NCAA D1 Accelerating Academic Success Program Grant
8/27/2026 1:42:00 PM | General
For the third year in a row, Long Beach State has been awarded $100,000 in support of specific academic initiatives.
LONG BEACH, Calif. – For a third consecutive year, Long Beach State is one of an exclusive group of institutions selected to receive an NCAA DI Accelerating Academic Success Program (AASP) Grant, providing $100,000 in grant money along with $20,000 in matching institutional funds in support of specific academic initiatives.
"Receiving this grant for a third consecutive year is a tremendous validation of the work our staff has done to intentionally invest in the entire student-athlete experience," said Long Beach State Executive Director of Athletics Bobby Smitheran. "With the support of the NCAA and our university, we have been able to build upon each year's investment and create sustainable resources that help our student-athletes succeed academically while supporting their development, health and well-being. Most importantly, these initiatives are informed by what our student-athletes tell us they need, and we are proud to continue turning that feedback into meaningful action."
NCAA Support from the 2026 AASP Grant has organized around four coordinated initiatives:
Long Beach State is also investing in Academic Momentum, including enhanced training for peer mentors and tutors as well as supporting a renovation of the Ukleja Center. The renovation allows for expanded capacity for tutoring, study-halls, and campus meetings in addition to allowing for perishable fueling options closer to the strength and conditioning complex. Together these improvements address two top priorities identified by our student-athletes as affecting their well-being outside of competition.
The grant will also support an expansion of the current Beach fueling station, increasing access to nutritional resources that student-athletes have routinely identified as a top priority. In addition, funding will expand access to sport psychology and mental health services, further strengthening Long Beach State's commitment to supporting student-athletes academically, physically and mentally.
Established in 2012, the NCAA AASP program awards over $1 million annually to Division I colleges and universities that meet grant qualifications for the support of their academic initiatives to help increase the graduation rates of student-athletes. The AASP grants are an example of how the NCAA and its member schools invest in academic support and success of student-athletes.
A selection committee composed of representatives from past AASP NCAA member colleges and universities reviews the grant applications and awards the funding annually. To be eligible for AASP grants, schools must be identified as having limited resources based on research data and must either be in the Football Championship Subdivision or not sponsor a football program. Schools may request up to $100,000 and are required to match at least 20% of the awarded amount.
First-year support primarily went towards completing second and third year curriculum for Long Beach State's BeAChampion program, while the 2025 grant provided nutritional support, technology and laptop access, as well as mental health and leadership development.
"Receiving this grant for a third consecutive year is a tremendous validation of the work our staff has done to intentionally invest in the entire student-athlete experience," said Long Beach State Executive Director of Athletics Bobby Smitheran. "With the support of the NCAA and our university, we have been able to build upon each year's investment and create sustainable resources that help our student-athletes succeed academically while supporting their development, health and well-being. Most importantly, these initiatives are informed by what our student-athletes tell us they need, and we are proud to continue turning that feedback into meaningful action."
NCAA Support from the 2026 AASP Grant has organized around four coordinated initiatives:
- BeAChampion Development
- Academic Momentum
- Feuling and Basic Needs Support
- Mental Health and Mental Performance Integration.
Long Beach State is also investing in Academic Momentum, including enhanced training for peer mentors and tutors as well as supporting a renovation of the Ukleja Center. The renovation allows for expanded capacity for tutoring, study-halls, and campus meetings in addition to allowing for perishable fueling options closer to the strength and conditioning complex. Together these improvements address two top priorities identified by our student-athletes as affecting their well-being outside of competition.
The grant will also support an expansion of the current Beach fueling station, increasing access to nutritional resources that student-athletes have routinely identified as a top priority. In addition, funding will expand access to sport psychology and mental health services, further strengthening Long Beach State's commitment to supporting student-athletes academically, physically and mentally.
Established in 2012, the NCAA AASP program awards over $1 million annually to Division I colleges and universities that meet grant qualifications for the support of their academic initiatives to help increase the graduation rates of student-athletes. The AASP grants are an example of how the NCAA and its member schools invest in academic support and success of student-athletes.
A selection committee composed of representatives from past AASP NCAA member colleges and universities reviews the grant applications and awards the funding annually. To be eligible for AASP grants, schools must be identified as having limited resources based on research data and must either be in the Football Championship Subdivision or not sponsor a football program. Schools may request up to $100,000 and are required to match at least 20% of the awarded amount.
First-year support primarily went towards completing second and third year curriculum for Long Beach State's BeAChampion program, while the 2025 grant provided nutritional support, technology and laptop access, as well as mental health and leadership development.
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