Northwest's Chase Van Cleave has been named the CCC's 2007-08 Male Champion of Character.
Northwest's Van Cleave Named CCC's Male 'Champion of Character'
PORTLAND, Ore. – Chase Van Cleave of Northwest University’s men’s basketball team has been voted the 2007-08 recipient of the Cascade Collegiate Conference’s inaugural Male Champion of Character Award, the league office announced Wednesday.
The Champion of Character Award, symbolic of the NAIA’s signature national program designed to promote character development in youth and change the culture of sport, will be given annually to the male and female student-athletes in the CCC who best exemplify the core tenets of respect, responsibility, integrity, sportsmanship and servant leadership.
Van Cleave, despite undergoing chemotherapy for cancer treatments, has been a key member of NU’s basketball team in addition to taking a full load of classes which led to his degree in pastoral ministry. He was a starter on the 2006-07 NU team which advanced to the NAIA semifinals, and this past year averaged 8.5 points and more than 31 minutes played while starting 28 of 30 games for the Eagles.
Said John Van Dyke, NU’s men’s basketball coach: “Chase is very deserving of this award. He has demonstrated respect for himself and all those he comes in contact with, regardless of whether they are an opponent, officials or fans. He graduated in a four-year period while surviving cancer and taking a full load of classes during his chemotherapy. In addition to that, he returned to play and be a starting member of NU’s basketball team.”