What is the APPLE Training Institute?

An apple, with slices around it. Names of the APPLE model slice are in each slice - recruitment, expectations & attitudes, education, policy, drug testing, accountability and counseling & referal.

The Athletic Prevention Programming and Leadership Education (APPLE) Training Institutes, developed and coordinated by the University of Virginia's Gordie Center and funded by the NCAA from 1991 to 2025, are the leading national substance misuse prevention and health promotion conferences for student-athletes and athletics department administrators.  

The goal of the APPLE Training Institute is to assist colleges in applying UVA's comprehensive APPLE model for substance misuse prevention to their campus environment. Over the course of a weekend, student-athletes and administrators create an institution-specific action plan to prevent student-athlete substance misuse and promote health and wellness.

The APPLE Training Institute offers teams of student-athletes, coaches, athletic trainers, administrators, and substance misuse prevention specialists an opportunity to evaluate the environment within their athletics departments and develop specific actions plan to enhance prevention efforts. Since 1992, nearly 60% of all NCAA member institutions have attended one of the annual conferences. 

The eight learning outcomes for the APPLE Training Institutes are for participants to:

  • improve relationships between administrators and student-athletes
  • increase understanding of the APPLE Model
  • increase ability to impact substance misuse problems
  • increase student ability to confront teammates
  • increase student leadership skills
  • increase knowledge of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) issues for student-athletes
  • increase knowledge of effective ATOD prevention programs
  • create a clearly defined, measurable action plan
  • Image
    APPLE

    Thank you for your interest in attending the APPLE Training Institute. Due to a disruption in funding, there will be no association-wide APPLE in 2025. The Gordie Center is working to secure alternative funding to bring APPLE back in 2026 for all athletic departments and student-athletes!

     

  • Image
    student athlete presenting at 2020 APPLE

    Faculty & Presenters for the 2024 Apple Training Institute.

  • Image
    red book with Apple logo on the cover

    APPLE Schedule

    January 12-14, 2024, Charlottesville, VA

    January 19-21, 2024, Newport Beach, CA