Dakota Wesleyan Men's Soccer Program 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. The Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) soccer program 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 Tigers, who compete in the Great Plains Athletic Conference, are led by head coach Kevin Farley.

“As I begin to think about what to say and how to explain it, I begin to think about the simplicity of the words and how they are combined to create such a program that could ultimately dictate a young man’s life in the present and in the future. It is an amazing attribute to the NAIA to support such a strong initiative,” said Farley. “Character is a vital part of our team chemistry for many reasons. What I did not know was how a team of character on and off the field would influence the individual student-athletes on and off the field. The five core values have ultimately taken a group of young men from all over the world and formed them into a team. This is not just a soccer team, this has become a group of young student-athletes who have teamed up for life.” 

The Dakota Wesleyan men’s soccer team strives to give back to the community and the sport through a youth coaching program in conjunction with the Mitchell soccer community. All members of the team volunteered to be youth coaches and referees to strengthen the local parks and recreation department. Director of the Mitchell Parks and Recreation Soccer Department Billie Kelly, noted that the players were a tremendous value to the overall experience. Over 700 spring participants and 400 fall participants have been directly affected by the work of the Dakota Wesleyan Tigers. The players conduct themselves in manner that exemplifies the highest standards of respect for others and are teaching young players to do the same.

“Character is important to our team in many ways. We, the team, believe in individual responsibility as well as team responsibility. Individual responsibility simply means one’s business at hand, to be dealt with at the best of his ability. For example, mandatory class, handing in assignments professionally, being punctual to class and soccer practice and being respectful,” said freshman midfielder Richard Simmonds. “Team responsibility simply means responsible individuals who come together to perform team objectives as best as or beyond what they can do, such as community service, team food drives and playing every game with heart as a team until the end.”

The list of team commitments and interest to serve go beyond helping youth in the local community and individual accomplishment. This year the team adopted a classmate as an honorary teammate. The players and coaching staff rallied behind this young man who has never been able to score a goal or even be a part of a team due to a childhood illness but whose heart carried the team through wins and losses and in the end made a life long impression that goes well beyond the soccer field.

“The men of Dakota Wesleyan University have been rewarded by confidence, belief in themselves, tremendous hearts and pride in performance because of their gifts to others and ultimately, the Champions of Character program has changed each of our lives for the better,” said Farley. “I believe that a player with strong character sees the sport of soccer as a vehicle to help them down the road of life. These players constantly attempt to live life more today than they did yesterday.”

Farley and the Dakota Wesleyan Tigers are part of the community that is dedicated to intentionally teaching character in and out of sport. To learn more visit www.dwu.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.