Champions of Character

Facklam Named 2024-25 KCAC Female Student-Athlete Champion of Character

KANSAS — Ellie Facklam of Evangel University has been named the 2024-25 KCAC Female Student-Athlete Champion of Character, the conference office announced Wednesday. All KCAC Champions of Character Awards are presented by IMA Financial Group.

Facklam has also been selected to be the KCAC's nominee for the NAIA's Dr. Leroy Walker Champions of Character Award. This award was created to honor Dr. LeRoy Walker, a former president of the NAIA and President emeritus of the United States Olympic Committee. It recognizes a current student-athlete with at least a junior academic status who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, campus and community leadership embracing the five core character values of the NAIA Champions of Character initiative, athletic achievement and future ambition.

Facklam just completed her senior year with a 3.7410 current cumulative GPA as an elementary education major. Service projects that she was involved with in the 2024-25 academic year include, but are not lmited to:

  • Serving on the leadership team at Camp Barnabas, a Christian summer camp that creates life-changing experiences for individuals with special needs and chroic illnesses.
  • Leading team devotionals and bible studies.
  • Volunteering with the Best Buddies program.
  • Serving as a volunteer coach for the Missouri Chiefs, a 10U softball team.
  • Involved with the Miracle League, which provides a field with opportunities for adults and youth with disabilities to hit, catch, run bases, and play ball.


"I’m really honored to be named the KCAC Female Champion of Character and the KCAC's Leroy Walker Award nominee," Facklam said. "This award means a lot because it reflects the purpose behind why I play. I play for the Lord and for those who may never get the chance to. Through softball and places like Camp Barnabas, I’ve learned that leadership is about serving and loving others well. I’m just so thankful and all the glory goes to The Lord!"
 
In 2024-25, Facklam received honors on and off the field, including, but not limited to:

  • Academic Honors
    • College Sports Communicators Academic All-District and Second Team Academic All-American
    • Named to the Evangel Dean's List in both Fall 2024 and Spring 2025
    • Evangel University Athletics Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 Honor Rolls
    • NAIA Daktronics Scholar-Athlete
  • Athletic Honors
    • First Team All-KCAC
    • KCAC Softball Gold Glove Team
    • National Fastpitch Coaches' Association (NFCA) All-Region
    • NFCA Rawlings Gold Glove Honoree


"When the Leroy Walker Award was introduced, I believe that people like Ellie Facklam are who they had in mind for this award," Jay Halbrook, softball head coach at Evangel, said. "I cannot think of a better nominee for this award than Ellie. Her commitment to service on the field, as well as in the local community shows her exceptional leadership qualities and would make her an outstanding recipient of this honor."

"Ellie Facklam is a great choice for the KCAC's Female Student-Athlete Champion of Character, and a deserving nominee for the Leroy Walker Award," Chuck Hepola, Evangel Director of Athletics, remarked. "Excellent in the classroom, excellent on the field and excellent off the field.  She has shown great leadership and clearly leads by example.  Congrats to Ellie and the KCAC Champions of Character committee for a perfect choice."

 
 

About IMA Financial Group

IMA Financial Group is the 10th largest independently owned retail insurance broker in the U.S., offering risk management and insurance services. Founded in 1974, IMA has nearly 650 employees in offices throughout the central U.S.

  

—KCAC—