NAIA Champions of Character
The vision of National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Champions of Character program is to change the culture of sport. Its mission is to provide training to instill the values that build character so students, coaches and parents know, do and value the right thing on and off the field.
Research shows that the longer a student spends in sports, their social reasoning – sacrificing for the good of the team – rises.
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.
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.
The NAIA is committed to advancing character-driven athletics.Â
Integrity
BE COMMITTED: Set high standards for your behavior and stick to them even in difficult situations.
BE COURAGEOUS: Stand up for what you believe is just and good.
BE HONEST: Choose words and actions that are sincere, not misleading.
BE DISCIPLINED: Remain dedicated and self-controlled, even when challenged.
BE RESILIENT: Learn from mistakes and losses; seize the opportunity to improve.
Respect
BE ACCEPTING: Support everyone's worth and dignity, regardless of background, abilities or beliefs.
BE CONSIDERATE: Always be aware of and honor others' rights and feelings.
BE ATTENTIVE: Be ready to learn from coaches, officials and other contestants.
BE ENCOURAGING: Demonstrate concern for the growth and development of all others.
BE APPRECIATIVE: Value the guidance of supportive adult and student leaders.
Responsibility
BE HELPFUL: Understand and advance the group's positive goals.
BE CONSCIENTIOUS: Be aware and careful of the choices you make.
BE ACCOUNTABLE: Accept that your actions impact everyone around you.
BE PERSEVERING: Work through difficulty and discouragement in pursuit of individual and team objectives.
BE RELIABLE: Prove that others can depend on you.
Sportsmanship
BE COOPERATIVE: Join teammates, opponents, coaches and officials in mutual quest for excellence.
BE FAIR: Compete skillfully, guided by the letter and spirit of the rules.
BE GRACIOUS: Savor the challenge of a tough competitor and meet it with your finest performance, win or lose.
BE HONORABLE: Respect the game and everyone's contributions.
BE HUMBLE: Take success instride - share the credit.
Servant Leadership
BE EMPOWERING: Inspire and help others to grow, succeed and lead.
BE VISIONARY: Raise expectations for yourself and the team.
BE INTERCONNECTED: Recognize the vital link between individual effort and group achievement.
BE GENEROUS: Freely contribute hard work and support to reach the team's goals.
BE ENERGETIC: Initiate action - do what needs to be done.
