Park University was one of 199 NAIA Champions of Character Institutions.

Courtesy Park Sports Information, NAIA Public Relations

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Park University is one of 199 NAIA institutions named Champions of Character institutions, announced Wednesday by the association’s national headquarters in downtown Kansas City.

All 15 Pirate athletic programs participated in character initiatives, including work with Habitat for Humanity, the Parkville Animal Shelter, youth clinics, Special Olympics, DeSoto YouthFriends and several elementary schools throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area.

In all, 199 colleges and universities were named Champions of Character institutions for the 2007-08 school year. The total number of member institutions recognized shows a 20-percent increase from 2006-07. These institutions share the NAIA’s commitment to high standards and to the principle that participation in athletics serves as an integral part of the total education process.
 
The mission of Champions of Character is to restore character values and raise a generation of students who understand and demonstrate in everyday decisions respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership and sportsmanship. The NAIA and member institutions use the Champions of Character program to instill an understanding of character values in sport, and provide student-athletes, coaches and parents the training to help them know and do the right things, inside and outside the sports setting.
 
“Champions of Character has a profound impact on student-athletes, coaches and in the communities the NAIA and member institutions serve. I am delighted to see an increase in the number of schools that use the program to intentionally teach character,” said Rob Haworth, NAIA Vice President for Champions of Character. “Champions of Character uses the power of sport to teach lessons for life. I applaud these institutions for their commitment to advance character-driven intercollegiate athletics.”

The program is dedicated to the principle that character is a choice and that being a champion is not just about winning, but making good decisions consistently in daily life. To be considered a Champions of Character institution, schools must complete a form which is later reviewed by a team directed by Haworth. These institutions must demonstrate how the campus incorporates the Champions of Character program in five specific areas: athletic contests, public service projects, established policies related to behavior in practice and game situations, athletic and academic environment and character education. 
 
To learn more about the NAIA and Champions of Character visit www.NAIA.org.

CLICK HERE for a complete list of 2007-08 Champions of Character institutions.