Walsh - NAIA Champions of Character Institution

Saturday, October 3, 2007

"Walsh University Again Selected as a NAIA Champions of Character Institution"

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) named 130 colleges and universities to the list of Champions of Character institutions for the 2006-07 school year. The mission of Champions of Character is to restore character values and raise a generation of students who understand and demonstrate in everyday decisions respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership and sportsmanship. The NAIA and member institutions use the Champions of Character program to instill an understanding of character values in sport, and provide student-athletes, coaches and parents the training to help them know and do the right things, inside and outside the sports setting. The program is dedicated to the principle that character is a choice and that being a champion is not just about winning, but making good decisions consistently in daily life.

To be considered a Champions of Character institution, schools must complete a form which is later reviewed by a team directed by NAIA Director of Champions of Character Initiatives Rob Miller. These schools incorporate the five core values in the campus community and educate student-athletes, coaches, parents and fans on specific standards and expectations.

"The Champions of Character program is a game plan dedicated to character-driven intercollegiate athletics," said Miller. "The philosophy and approach to sport is a fundamental distinction gaining traction throughout the United States and Canada. Successful teams are built on a solid foundation and hundreds of competitive programs see the value in the NAIA and the Champions of Character model."

To learn more about the NAIA and Champions of Character visit www.naia.org.