Buffalo Funds Five Star Award Recipients Announced for NAIA Fall Sports

Coaches and student-athletes recognized for exhibiting exceptional character values

Posted 12.21.07

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

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and Champions of Character founding partner Buffalo Funds present Buffalo Funds Five Star Awards for each of the NAIA’s 23 championship sports. Westmont College (Calif.), Milligan College (Tenn.), University of Virginia’s College at Wise (Va.), Calumet College of St. Joseph (Ind.), University of Saint Francis (Ind.) and Stephens College (Mo.) received the honor for the fall sports season. These institutions and athletic programs strive for excellence in and out of competition and are part of communities throughout the country dedicated to character-driven intercollegiate athletics.

Westmont College (Calif.) – Men’s Cross Country – Head Coach Russell Smelley
“I believe that athletics is an experience in exposing and developing character. It reveals our strengths and weaknesses and from that we can be challenged to grow and develop more fully into the people that God intends us to be,” said Smelley. “Without the challenge to look deeply into our lives and to consider tough questions about ourselves, we can stunt our spiritual growth by the denial and avoidance of our needs and issues. Athletics can be part of the process of growth for student-athletes to develop a greater level of resilience in their lives, including the ability to persevere when life is challenging and hard. They can learn more clearly the quality of their character and thus grow in maturity and wisdom.”

Respect: Even in the most difficult tempo workouts, the Westmont men’s cross country team does not only meet but exceed their target times. The student-athletes do so not to prove anything, but because they know what they are capable of and they choose to run to their potential rather than settle for what they feel is expected of them.

Milligan College (Tenn.) – Women’s Cross Country – Head Coach Chris Layne
“Incorporating character into our team dynamics is important on several levels. It is important for our team members to build their individual character during their careers at Milligan College to assist them in their post graduate goals and activities. Building character as a team is also very important. The team is seen by the entire community. We hope to be positive role models for all who observe us,” said Milligan junior Jacklyn Talbert. “Although running can be viewed as an individual sport, the team aspect is a very important part of the process. From the early morning practices to the long van rides, teammates that have grown together can be a great source of encouragement and provide a great atmosphere for success.”  

Responsibility: The positive vibe on the Milligan team is contagious. The ladies were at the Walt Disney Cross Country Classic in Orlando, Fla. and the results were taking a long time to be posted because of a power-surge during the race. Ultimately the results were announced and the Lady Buffs were declared the winners. Then the timing director discovered that he had overlooked the individual winner of the race. After a recount the team was correctly placed second. Without hesitation one of the runners held her head up high to remind her teammates that it was an improvement over last year’s third place finish. The effects of such a disappointment could have created a domino effect for the rest of the season negatively, but instead displays the character and resilience of the program.

University of Virginia’s College at Wise – Football – Head Coach Bruce Wasem
“We look for “quality” people who are also good football players. From the recruiting visit to the opening night of pre-season camp, to our approach to practices and games, the expectations of great character are directly voiced, as well as constantly implied. The honor code is the behavior guide of our campus,” said Wasem. “It is expressed in our opening meeting and strongly reinforced throughout the year. Our play and behavior on and off the field must represent good character. It ties our squad together in believing in and exhibiting proper behavior and making our theme of “family” a truly uniting factor and competitive edge.”

Integrity: The Cavaliers honor their commitments to each other by working hard in the off season and preparing daily in season. If one of the linemen is having trouble making the conditioning requirement, a teammate helps him. The captains help the head coach with tough decisions, including discipline issues. They reinforce the idea of commitment and the “debt” owed to each other. They also recognize the debt they owe to the institution and the obligation they must fulfill in representing it in an honorable way. Commitment, integrity, effort and character come from great leadership throughout the Cavaliers squad.

Calumet College of St. Joseph (Ind.) – Men’s Soccer – Head Coach Peter Haring
“Character has helped grow the Calumet College of St. Joseph men’s soccer team. As captain I lead by example and instill the Champions of Character core values,” said Calumet sophomore Eric Ruiz. “Throughout the season the focus of keeping a high level of character helped the team grow as it continued to mature and build for the future. The core values pushed each player to stay committed to the concept of togetherness in order to achieve all goals set at the beginning of the year.”  

Servant Leadership: At the start of the season several incoming players had a hard time adjusting to the demands of conditioning and time management. The captains of the Calumet soccer team decided to get all the players together and explain the importance of preseason and how it will benefit the team not only for the upcoming season but also the future of the program. The team responded through the creation of a simple mission plan to maintain control and focus and commit to all goals set.

University of Saint Francis (Ind.) – Women’s Soccer – Head Coach Ken Nuber
“When you have a group of players with the character our team has, it makes the life of a coach easy. These athletes are constantly asking what they can do to help,” said Nuber. “They put maximum effort into their academics displaying dedication to the USF, the program and their teammates. The effect it has had on their performance is immeasurable. We play hard and work to win every game. The team defines character as the values, personality and level of integrity when no one is looking.”

Sportsmanship: Soccer is a contact sport that can get very competitive. USF shows respect to its opponents and referees. No player or coach has been given a card for dissent or a confrontation with an opponent in the past two years. The ladies treat opponents with class and dignity from the minute they arrive on campus to the time they leave.

Stephens College (Mo.) – Volleyball – Head Coach Michelle Gregory
“Character plays a huge part in our team’s success as it takes a lot more than just talent to be a successful team. When I recruit players, the first thing I look for is how they are to their team on the court. It they are all about themselves and not the team, than I know that they will not be a good fit for Stephens College,” said Gregory. “The success that the volleyball team had this year was a team effort and each member contributed and played a vital role.”  

Respect: The Stephens College volleyball team gives 100% effort 100% of the time by representing the Stephens Ideal. Focus is on courage, persistence, independence, belief, creativity and leadership.

To learn more about character-driven intercollegiate athletics and the Champions of Character program visit www.naia.org or www.championsofcharacter.org. For additional information on Buffalo Funds visit www.buffalofunds.com.

NAIA

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) is the governing body for athletics programs at its nearly 300 colleges and universities throughout the United States and Canada. The long-held mission of the NAIA is to promote the education and development of well-rounded students and productive citizens through intercollegiate athletics. The association offers equitable access and opportunities for participation in its 23 national championship events held annually throughout the country.

Today, the NAIA strengthens its commitment to student-athletes and strives to enrich their college experience by supporting academic achievement and character development. NAIA Champions of Character is the association’s innovative flagship program designed to instill character values in student-athletes, coaches and youth in the communities it serves.

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 Men’s Division I Basketball National Championship. To learn more about Buffalo Funds visit www.buffalofunds.com.