Champions of CharaCter

You can’t see it. or feel it. But You know and value when someone shows it. character.

Champions of CharaCter

“Character has always been important. But with changes in society today, it needs more reinforcement than ever before.”John Wooden // Legendary naIa Teacher & coach, naIa haLL of fame member

5 ch

arac

ter

core

valu

es integritY // The internal traits that develop, guide and ensure positive behavior.

responsiBilitY // The social force that guides an individual to work first for the good of the team.

servant leadership // Dedication to the greater good, for the benefit of all.

respect // The simple act of treating others the way you would want to be treated.

sportsmanship // The belief in following the rules, spirit and good-natured etiquette of athletic competition.

It’s not just about coming out on top. It’s

also about standing for something when

you compete. Developing the personality

traits that inspire admiration and put

a student-athlete in a position to lead

in life. The National Association of

Intercollegiate Athletics and its member

schools have worked with student-

athletes for more than 70 years and

launched the Champions of Character

program more than a decade ago.

We spotlight and instill the values that

build character in students and the

people they interact with in sports and

in their communities.

Character is a uniquely human trait.

It fosters responsibility. It means respect

for self and others. It brings its own

rewards. Our students and colleges know

the value of character and work with

their communities to help change the

culture of sport.

The NAIA Champions of Character

program helps students understand and

embody what character truly means. It

also provides student-athletes, coaches

and parents the training to know, do and

value the right thing – both inside and

outside of sports.

true champions do more than just win.

You’re not Born with character. it is Built.

for The sTudenT-aThLeTe

Once a student-athlete learns respect

for themselves and everyone with whom

they come into contact, they discover

new ways to be a positive force, a real

leader and more effective at all they

take on in life.

for The coach

Few people on campus or off have as

much influence on a student-athlete as

a coach. By embodying character and

setting an example worth following,

coaches better themselves and their

programs as they motivate their players.

for The ParenTs / fans

Student-athletes in the NAIA are

ambassadors of character. Their parents

and fans support them and quickly learn

to respect their sportsmanship, conduct

and performance, as well as the officials

and game itself.

It’s one thing to come up with a great

idea. It’s quite another to put a plan

into action that ensures it’s an ongoing

success. A core element of the NAIA

Champions of Character program is

how we monitor, measure and make

constant improvements in an effort to

always hit the mark. We track every

school’s progress in pursuing character

programs and conduct in competition.

Our program scorecard helps everyone

understand how to support athletics,

while it defines expectations and

standards that drive strong teams and

athletics departments.

Character shouldn’t just be confined

to campus. For it to take hold in

all aspects of life means taking the

initiative to reach out to others. It’s a

very grassroots process and, as a result,

one that speaks with authenticity

and authority.

Student-athletes who graduate and

move out into the world take their NAIA

Champions of Character training with

them to share with others. As part of

our ongoing outreach mission, the NAIA

also offers Champions of Character

training sessions and motivational

presentations to corporate audiences,

athletic associations, social clubs and

youth sports organizations to explain

how character values drive success. In

addition, our schools, student-athletes

and coaches participate in a variety of

community support activities.

“The NAIA not only gives us the possibility to continue athletics, but allows us to gain life lessons that will be used later in life.”naIa sofTbaLL sTudenT-aThLeTe

more than ever, character matters.

walking our talk. where we live.

uplifting the entire communitY.

learn more at: championsofcharacter.org

snap this Qr code with your smartphone to learn more about the naia.

National Association of

Intercollegiate Athletics

1200 Grand Blvd.

Kansas City, MO 64106

championsofcharacter.org

(816) 595-8000