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