Vanguard University Men's and Women's Cross Country Teams Sweep 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 Vanguard University Cross Country program swept the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics’ (NAIA) men’s and women’s Buffalo Funds Five Star Awards, announced during the NAIA Cross Country Championships in Kentucky. The Vanguard men’s cross country team received the award for the second year in a row, while the VU women were recognized for the first time as an NAIA Team of Character. The NAIA and Buffalo Funds, the official sponsor of the NAIA’s Champions of Character initiative, presents Buffalo Funds Five Star Awards for each of the NAIA’s 23 championship sports annually at the end of each sports season for their dedication and implementation of the five core character values in and outside competition. In addition, they recognize one member of each team represented at the NAIA Championships as individual Champion of Character. VU’s women’s team captain, Sarann Medlen, was awarded her team’s Champions of Character award, which was also announced at the beginning of the national event.

“It is imperative to encompass character in a team dynamic, because without it you just have a cluster of athletes, but with it is an assemblage of people sharing mutual aspirations, who are not just ready but eager to achieve them for the sake of the team as a whole, not only for oneself,” said senior Sara Ann Medlen. “As a team we are aware that each decision made, whether on or off the field, reflects back on the character of the team. The character on our team has facilitated relationships that go beyond the sport and has integrated us into a tight-knit supportive and loyal family.”

VU’s Cross Country Teams are the first Vanguard teams to receive the national recognition this school year, as the team and Coach Bryan Wilkins were honored at the awards banquet prior to the NAIA National Cross Country Championships. Representing Vanguard as individual national qualifier, junior Jason Valenzuela, joined the competing women’s team in accepting the awards, which were based on a nomination by Coach Wilkins.

“When our athletes embrace the character qualities we promote and adopt them it creates an amazing camaraderie and a close knit bond in our team. Everyone is excited to be a part of something positive and meaningful, a movement that is bigger than one’s individual self,” said Wilkins. “With a close knit team comes energy, passion, accountability, strengthened work ethic and a deep desire to contribute to the team’s success. Enhanced performance is a natural progression when all these forces are in play.”

Wilkins nominated the Lions for how they displayed character and sportsmanship in competition, on campus, and in the community, as well as how they consistently exhibited the five core values of respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership, and sportsmanship. Both of the Lion teams have or will be completing a series of community service projects. In addition to serving at the local Soup Kitchen and Vanguard’s City Serve event in Costa Mesa, several team members have been involved in VU’s Champions of Character service projects and are active members of VU’s LIONS (Leaders Influencing Our Nations Sports).

“It is important to incorporate character into team dynamics because without character it is impossible to have trust within the team,” said junior Billy Smith. “Character has helped my team stay unified because it helps each of us build a strong bond with one another on the basis of trust.”

As one of the NAIA’s Champions of Character Program Centers, Vanguard University is very proud of the Lions and their coaching staff for demonstrating the Champions of Character ideal and displaying Gold Pride locally and nationally. 

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.