Dedication to the greater good, for the benefit of all. RESPECT //. The simple act of treating others ... and game itsel
Champions of Character
You can’t see it. Or feel it. But you know and value when someone shows it. 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
True champions do more than just win.
You’re not born with character. It is built.
It’s not just about coming out on top. It’s
Character is a uniquely human trait.
also about standing for something when
It fosters responsibility. It means respect
you compete. Developing the personality
for self and others. It brings its own
traits that inspire admiration and put
rewards. Our students and colleges know
a student-athlete in a position to lead
the value of character and work with
in life. The National Association of
their communities to help change the
Intercollegiate Athletics and its member
culture of sport.
schools have worked with studentathletes for more than 70 years and
The NAIA Champions of Character
launched the Champions of Character
program helps students understand and
program more than a decade ago.
embody what character truly means. It
We spotlight and instill the values that
also provides student-athletes, coaches
build character in students and the
and parents the training to know, do and
people they interact with in sports and
value the right thing – both inside and
in their communities.
outside of sports.
5 character core values
CHAMPIONS OF CHARACTER Integrity //
The internal traits that develop, guide and ensure positive behavior.
Respect //
The simple act of treating others the way you would want to be treated.
Responsibility //
The social force that guides an individual to work first for the good of the team.
Sportsmanship //
The belief in following the rules, spirit and good-natured etiquette of athletic competition.
Servant Leadership //
Dedication to the greater good, for the benefit of all.
“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.
For the student-athlete
For the Parents / Fans
It’s one thing to come up with a great
Character shouldn’t just be confined
presentations to corporate audiences,
Once a student-athlete learns respect
Student-athletes in the NAIA are
idea. It’s quite another to put a plan
to campus. For it to take hold in
athletic associations, social clubs and
for themselves and everyone with whom
ambassadors of character. Their parents
into action that ensures it’s an ongoing
all aspects of life means taking the
youth sports organizations to explain
they come into contact, they discover
and fans support them and quickly learn
success. A core element of the NAIA
initiative to reach out to others. It’s a
how character values drive success. In
new ways to be a positive force, a real
to respect their sportsmanship, conduct
Champions of Character program is
very grassroots process and, as a result,
addition, our schools, student-athletes
leader and more effective at all they
and performance, as well as the officials
how we monitor, measure and make
one that speaks with authenticity
and coaches participate in a variety of
take on in life.
and game itself.
constant improvements in an effort to
and authority.
community support activities.
Learn more at: ChampionsofCharacter.org
always hit the mark. We track every For the Coach
school’s progress in pursuing character
Student-athletes who graduate and
Few people on campus or off have as
programs and conduct in competition.
move out into the world take their NAIA
much influence on a student-athlete as
Our program scorecard helps everyone
Champions of Character training with
a coach. By embodying character and
understand how to support athletics,
them to share with others. As part of
setting an example worth following,
while it defines expectations and
our ongoing outreach mission, the NAIA
coaches better themselves and their
standards that drive strong teams and
also offers Champions of Character
programs as they motivate their players.
athletics departments.
training sessions and motivational
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
