Champions of Character

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics' Champions of Character program provides training to ensure student-athletes know, do, and value the right things in all areas of life. The Champions of Character program helps participants find the balance by keeping five core values: integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership – at the heart of the athletics experience. Launched by the NAIA in 2000, the Champions of Character program addresses character issues more comprehensively than any other national program for youth. The program reaches hundreds of thousands of students on nearly 300 college and university campuses in North America and extends into their surrounding communities.

Students learn to understand how the values play out in both practice and competition. Coaches are taught how to intentionally define, model, shape and reinforce the values through their coaching and mentoring. Parents learn how their behavior is key to supporting their athletes.

For more than a decade, Champions of Character has been making a difference in developing athletes, coaches and parents of character.

Respect

Those associated with sports show respect by treating themselves, other persons, institutions, and their sport according to the highest standards of conduct. It implies civilized and gracious behavior to players, coaches, fans, and parents.

Responsibility

Athletes show responsibility by making academic progress toward graduation their top priority. They solve problems rather than make excuses, and are reliable team players. Students should be accountable for their actions and decisions, and coaches and administrators should maintain high standards of competence and conduct.

Integrity

For student competitors and their coaches, integrity means keeping commitments and conducting honest behavior. Coaches must subscribe to and practice the Coaches Code and Code of Ethics, and student-athletes must know and understand the Champions of Character Student-Athlete Pledge.

Servant Leadership

This core value refers to putting the group first and becoming responsible for personal and group roles while performing at your best. Students demonstrating servant leadership have the primary purpose of serving others while striving to become a personal and team leader. The servant-leader provides a critical service to society and the great gift of a good example.

Sportsmanship

The conduct of educational sports according to the highest standards is our expectation for sportsmanship. Administrators, coaches, students, fans, and parents are expected to act correctly even when others do not, and demonstrate fairness and equity in all contests and relationships. The five core values: respect, responsibility, integrity, sportsmanship, and servant leadership are put into play, accounted for, and tracked at all NAIA schools.

In addition, as an NAIA institution, the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy has developed a Champions of Character campus program that includes:

• Ongoing character education for all student-athletes using the Champions of Character Live 5 orientation program.

• Professional development for coaches and athletics administrative staff, including completion of the character-driven coaching course.

• Emphasis on hospitality and game management of athletic 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 both the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy and the NAIA.