KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) and 13 of its full member institutions earned a Five-Star distinction from the NAIA Champions of Character program for their commitment to the Champions of Character program in 2024-25.
The KCAC was named a Five-Star conference for the 15th consecutive year, and joins 20 other conferences in earning this recognition for the 2024-25 school year. In order for a conference to earn the Five-Star distinction, it must meet the following criteria:
Established Champions of Character Conference Committee
Conference has a conduct in competition oversight committee composed of a minimum of three members
At least 60% of members institutions must receive the NAIA Champions of Character Five-Star Institution Award
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Institutions that are designated as Five-Star Institutions are broken down into gold, silver, and bronze tiers, based on their final scoring on the Champions of Character Core Report.
Institutions are measured on a demonstrated commitment to Champions of Character and earn points in character training, conduct in competition, academic focus, character recognition and character promotion. Institutions earned points based on exceptional student-athlete grade point averages and by having minimal to no ejections during competition throughout the course of the academic year.
The KCAC finished with ten institutions in the Gold Tier and three in the Silver Tier
INSTITUTION DISTINCTION
Avila University*
Gold
Bethany College*
Gold
Bethel College*
Gold
Friends University*
Gold
Kansas Wesleyan University*
Gold
McPherson College
Gold
Oklahoma Wesleyan University*
Gold
Southwestern College
Gold
Sterling College*
Gold
University of Saint Mary*
Gold
* =
One of the 112 institutions who are part of the Five-Star Institutions Top Scores list (meaning they scored 100 points on the Champions of Character Core Report). VIDEO VIDEO
INSTITUTION DISTINCTION
Evangel University
Silver
Ottawa University
Silver
York University
Silver
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“It’s gratifying to see so many institutions in our conference putting a priority on character development in athletics," Dr. Jim Zimmerman, Chair of the KCAC Governing Council Executive Committee, remarked. "Sport can teach many life skills, but our institutions are extending those life skills around campus and into their local communities."
"KCAC Athletic Directors, Coaches, and most importantly Student-Athletes should be extremely proud of their efforts in making their programs about more than wins and losses.”
ABOUT THE NAIA CHAMPIONS OF CHARACTER PROGRAM The mission of National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Champions of Character program 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. The program helps participants find balance by keeping the five core values – integrity, respect,responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership – at the heart of the athletics experience.VIDEO
—KCAC—