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 2025-26.
The KCAC was named a Five-Star conference for the 16th consecutive year, and joins 18 other conferences in earning this recognition for the 2025-26 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
" Earning this distinction is an incredible honor," Brandon Buchanan, KCAC Commissioner, commented. "Being recognized as a Champions of Character Five-Star Conference for the 16th consecutive year testifies to the commitment of our leadership, administrators, athletic departments, coaches, and student-athletes to character-driven athletics. We take great pride in fostering an environment where character and competition go hand-in-hand."
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 eleven institutions in the Gold Tier and two in the Silver Tier.
INSTITUTION DISTINCTION
Avila University*
Gold
Bethel College*
Gold
Evangel University*
Gold
Friends University*
Gold
Kansas Wesleyan University*
Gold
McPherson College*
Gold
Oklahoma Wesleyan University*
Gold
Sterling College*
Gold
Tabor College*
Gold
University of Saint Mary*
Gold
York University*
Gold
* =
One of the 120 institutions who are part of the Five-Star Institutions Top Scores list (meaning they scored 100 points on the Champions of Character Core Report).
INSTITUTION DISTINCTION
Bethany College
Silver
Ottawa University
Silver
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—