Covenant College Women's Soccer Team Receives Buffalo Funds Five Star Award

Coaches and student-athletes recognized for exhibiting exceptional character values

Posted 12.20.06

For a complete list of 2006-07 award recipients click here.

OLATHE, Kan. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and Champions of Character founding partner Buffalo Funds will present Buffalo Funds Five Star Awards for each of the NAIA’s 23 championship sports. Covenant College (Ga.) women’s soccer team was recently awarded the Buffalo Funds Five Star Award for their dedication and implementation of the Champions of Character program’s five core values: respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership and sportsmanship. The Covenant Lady Scots, who were 15-4-0 on the season and made their first appearance in the 2006 NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship Tournament, are led by head coach Mark Duble.

“Soccer is a tool we feel the Lord has used to open up many avenues for us to show those less fortunate that there is much more to gain from being part of a team then just winning,” said Duble. “Soccer is the world’s game. It is a time to use to give something back to those in the world who have little or nothing at all.”

Having won the Appalachian Athletic Conference championship in 2006, the Lady Scot’s dedication and commitment is not only to the sport of soccer but to teammates, the coaching staff and institution. The team, led by a group of seven seniors, established an inner city youth soccer league in East Chattanooga (Tenn.) partnering with the New City Fellowship PCA Church Board. The players coached and mentored youth participants sharing lessons of discipline, fair play and integrity.

“I feel it is important to emphasize character as part of team building because the honesty and integrity that results improves the team chemistry,” said senior defender Amy Smrcina. “The coaches and senior leaders on this team have emphasized sportsmanship. This has helped to maintain our composure during critical times in matches.”

The NAIA’s Champions of Character program defines responsibility when a team has focused attention and effort while being able to recover quickly from mistakes and maintain a positive attitude regardless of the result. Duble and his team demonstrated this character value early in the season when the Lady Scots met their biggest rival. The players, despite being a goal down, kept their focus and continued to work hard throughout the very physical match. The team worked their way back into the game to win 2-1.

Duble and the Lady Scots are part of the Covenant College community that is dedicated to intentionally teaching character in and out of sport. To learn more visit www.covenant.edu.

NAIA

A leader in the development of student-athletes, the NAIA is committed to changing the culture of sport through Champions of Character. Founded in 1937, the NAIA continues to be a pioneer in implementing exceptional standards for academics, diversity, and character. Today, the NAIA sponsors 23 collegiate championships in 13 sports for its nearly 300 member institutions throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more about the NAIA visit www.naia.org.

Buffalo Funds

Buffalo Funds is the Official Sponsor of the Champions of Character program. Buffalo Funds assists in the Champions of Character program growth and is the title sponsor of the NAIA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship. To learn more about Buffalo Funds visit www.buffalofunds.com.