Byron Starks conceived Champions International in 1999.  A former collegiate basketball star and community leader, Starks has influenced thousands of young people to live better lives.  Through basketball schools and leadership training for young people, Starks has worked diligently with volunteer associates to motivate young people to become strong, moral, involved citizens. He and his wife Angel are both graduates of UL-Lafayette.

Despite growing up in a dysfunctional home after the divorce of her mother and father, Angel was determined to be successful and become the first of her immediate 6 siblings to get a college education. That same determination has helped her play a major role in the influence and the development of children and young adults involved in the outreaches of Champions International.

Together Byron & Angel inspire all participants to LIVE LIKE A CHAMPION.

WHAT IS A CHAMPION?

A ‘champion’ is a victor, someone who competes and wins; a ‘champion’ is a defender, someone who supports or promotes a person or cause; a ‘champion’ is a remarkable person, someone who exemplifies excellence or achievement; a ‘champion’ is a hero, a combatant who fights in defense of another or a cause; and a ‘Champion’ is who we are.
 
Champions International began as an outreach to public schools in response to the problem of rising violence, substance abuse, unwanted pregnancies, and divorced family situations.  The institute of Health Study “found that kids who feel connected to home, family, and school are better protected from violence, suicide, sexual activity and substance abuse.” Champions International teaches young people to become fit, sober, nonviolent, self-confident and caring, by accepting moral values and virtues.  It offers two areas of focus: character enrichment and life skills development. Champions International utilizes the talents of young adult and adult volunteers in the program to serve as role models to convey a message of hope. U.S. News & World Report (May 8, 2000, p. 50) states, “ About a quarter of all high school students today regularly perform community service, while an additional 40% do so occasionally”. Newsweek (April 17, 2000, p. 63) estimates teen service even higher suggesting that “as many as 60% do some kind of community service, primarily through faith based organizations”. Champions International staff seek to empower young people to become leaders in their community.