NAIA Unveils Character-Driven Scorecard
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) launched a new
Champions of Character Scorecard designed to convert the NAIA’s vision and strategy into measureable goals and to monitor progress towards advancing character-driven intercollegiate athletics. The Champions of Character Scorecard supports performance-driven athletics while defining expectations and standards that drive successful teams and athletic departments. The new initiative is designed to be beneficial to member institutions, conferences and the association as a whole.
“It is my hope that the Champions of Character Scorecard will assist us in our efforts to change the culture of sports,” said Dr. Rob Haworth, Vice President for Champions of Character. “Although there are many indicators that could be used to demonstrate a dedication to Champions of Character those identified on the Scorecard represent a commitment that could be found on any NAIA campus.”
The NAIA boasts a proud reputation for the role it places on intercollegiate athletics, a model recognized as an arena that promotes competitive athletics, academic excellence and character values simultaneously. The process is based on the NAIA’s flagship program Champions of Character, which emphasizes the five core values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership. The program is association-wide and instills an understanding of character values in sport and provides practical tools for student-athletes, coaches and athletic administrators to use in modeling exemplary character traits in and out of competition. The program was developed in 2000, in response to the growing problem of deteriorating standards of integrity in sports and society.
The Champions of Character Scorecard encompasses efforts from across the association and signals important differences in how the NAIA conducts athletic competition. NAIA member institutions are not required to participate in the Scorecard initiative. However, in order to be recognized as a Champions of Character Five Star Institution, members will need to score 60 or more points (100 points maximum) and submit their college or university’s information no later than August 15, 2010.
Institutions will be measured based on demonstrated commitment to Champions of Character and may earn points in each of the following categories: character training, conduct in competition, academic focus, character recognition and character promotion. Institutions may earn points based on exceptional student-athlete grade point averages and by obtaining zero ejections during competition throughout the course of the academic year beginning September 28, 2009. Conferences will receive a Five Star rating if 60% of their membership meets the criteria. Involvement from school presidents, coaches, student-athletes and administrators is key in receiving the Five Star nod. College and university presidents will receive a letter with a break down of their institution’s Scorecard.
Schools reaching the 60 or higher point total will be recognized on the NAIA Champions of Character Web site, receive a special web banner noting the honor and the president and athletics director will be recognized at the NAIA annual convention.
To learn more about the Champions of Character Scorecard and Champions of Character Five Star Institution Award visit
http://www.championsofcharacter.org/ or contact Dr. Rob Haworth, Vice President for Champions of Character, at rhaworth@naia.org.