The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics' Champions of Character provides training to ensure student-athletes know, do and value the right things in all areas of life. The five core values: integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership are put into play, accounted for and tracked at all NAIA schools.
As an affiliated conference within the NAIA, the Appalachian Athletic Conference encourages and supports the Champions of Character initiative at member institutions that includes:
- Ongoing character education for all student-athletes using the Champions of Character Live 5 orientation program.
- Professional development for coaches, athletics administrative staff including completion of the Character-Driven Coaching course.
Emphasis on hospitality and game management of athletics events and conduct in competition- Servant leadership activities that promote student leadership and athletic community engagement
- Ongoing oversight and assessment of progress in the program's implementation by the member schools, the Appalachian Athletic Conference and the NAIA.
Since 2004, the Appalachian Athletic Conference has presented its highest honor, the Male and Female Champions of Character Award, to one male and one female student-athlete who have best demonstrated the NAIA Champions of Character core values on and off the campus for that year. The winners are selected from a group of nominees submitted by member institutions and voted on by the chief executive officers. Additionally, the Instituational Champions of Character Award is presented to the member institution with the highest Champions of Character Scoreboard points at the end of the annual scoring period (August 15).
The view the past winners, please click here.