Southwestern College has been named in the five top schools in the nation in advancing character-driven intercollegiate athletics, according to results of the 2009-10 NAIA Champions of Character Scorecard released by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The school will be recognized at the national convention in Kansas City in April.

Institutions were measured based on a demonstrated commitment to Champions of Character and earned points in each of the following categories: 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 obtaining zero ejections during competition throughout the course of the academic year.

The NAIA will recognize 204 colleges and universities and 20 conferences with the Champions of Character Five Star Award. To receive the award members scored 60 or more points on the NAIA Champions of Character Scorecard, which emphasizes the five core values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership. Southwestern College finished fourth on the Five Star list with a score of 92 points.

“We are very proud to be recognized by the NAIA with the Five Star Rating and this distinct honor,” says Southwestern College Athletic Director Dave Denly.  “The Champions of Character initiative by the NAIA is one that we at Southwestern College embrace fully and feel fits into our institutional goals as well.  The commitment of our coaches and student-athletes to upholding the five core values of the NAIA and representing Southwestern College is a vital part of our athletic department’s mission.” 

”It is rewarding to see NAIA colleges, universities, and conferences taking a leadership role in the NAIA’s mission to advance character-driven athletics,” said Jim Carr, NAIA president and CEO. “With significant focus on using athletics as a vehicle to teach life lessons there is no doubt we will have a positive impact on our 60,000 student-athletes. Encompassing efforts from across the association signals important differences in how the NAIA conducts athletic competition. That distinction sets us apart and I’m very proud of that.”

The Scorecard was crafted to convert the NAIA’s vision and strategy into measurable goals and to monitor progress towards advancing character-driven intercollegiate athletics. The initiative supports performance-driven athletics while defining expectations and standards that drive successful teams and athletics departments.

Over 70% of member institutions and 77% of member conferences were named to the Five Star list. The top five schools include Cornerstone (Mich.) University, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Cumberland (Tenn.) University, Southwestern College and Westmont (Calif.) College. Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference and TranSouth Athletic Conference landed in the top spot with 100% of its member schools making the grade. 

Five Star Award recipients will be recognized on the NAIA Champions of Character website, and receive a special web banner and certificate noting the honor. Presidents, athletics directors, and conference commissioners at award winning colleges, universities, or conferences also will be recognized at the 70th Annual NAIA National Convention in April.