NAIA names Russ Davis of Vanguard University (Calif.) recipient of the 2007 Coach of Character Award

National award celebrates character driven intercollegiate athletics

Posted on 04.09.07

Olathe, Kan. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced today that Russ Davis, women’s basketball coach at Vanguard University (Calif.), has been named the 2007 recipient of the NAIA Coach of Character Award. Davis recently completed his tenth year as head coach at Vanguard and has guided the Lady Lions to five consecutive Golden State Athletic Conference championship titles, eight total conference championship titles and nine NAIA Division I women’s basketball national tournament appearances. Davis, who has over 25 years experience in the coaching profession, has a philosophical approach to teaching the game of basketball that embraces the NAIA’s Champions of Character core values: respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership and sportsmanship.

“Russ is deeply respected by all members of the campus community, the Golden State Athletic Conference, Region II and the NAIA, as a person of integrity who models character values. He is a principled person who incorporates an ethic of service into his character and conduct,” said Vanguard Director of Athletics Bob Wilson. “Russ builds trustful relationships that respect and honor the uniqueness of others. He lives by a faith that fortifies his conviction that acting in the best interest of others gives his own life a special meaning and a sense of personal fulfillment.”

Davis implements at least one of the five core values of the NAIA’s character initiative daily as part of his coaching method and development of his team. At Vanguard, Davis uses sport as an opportunity to teach integrity and believes that a person of integrity has depth of character and a sound foundation. He tells student-athletes that integrity means beliefs and actions are in alignment. The Lady Lions understand the expectations and what is needed for success both in academics and athletics.

 “When I think of respect and what it means, Coach Davis has helped to install this characteristic in my own life. Playing for coach has been an amazing learning experience,” said Vanguard University senior forward Kelly Schmidt. “I have improved in many areas including basketball and developing as a person off the court.”

Outside of Davis’s coaching responsibilities he serves as a Champions of Character instructor for the Vanguard University Program Center designed to provide character education and outreach throughout Southern California. Adding to the long list of professional and personal accolades Davis has been named Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Regional and National Coach of the Year, has served on the NAIA tournament committee and is a member on staff for the Nike All-American summer camp each year.

“The biggest compliment a coach receives is from current and former players. So many NAIA coaches create a lasting impact that goes well beyond a win-loss record,” said NAIA Director of Champions of Character Initiatives Rob Miller. “Russ is a coach that is committed not only to the game but also his ability to develop individuals of character through sport. His players know and understand the life lessons and the gift of character development and how that translates into success now and in the future.”

Davis received the national Coach of Character Award from the following list of regional award winners: Martin Razo Gonzalez of Concordia University (Calif., Region II); Dr. John Walter Paulin of Southwestern College (Kan., Region IV); Robyn Gordon of John Brown University (Ark., Region VI); Mike Christner of William Penn University (Iowa, Region VII); Marella Vanlandingham of Ohio Dominican University (Region IX); Scott Dulin of Fisher College (Mass., Region X); Paul J. Throckmorton of Campbellsville University (Ky., Region XI); Christopher Holt of Virginia Intermont College (Va., Region XII); Tony Cavett of Lee University (Tenn., Region XIII); Sam Carter of Savannah College of Art and Design (Ga., Region XIV).

Davis will be recognized at the Ninth Annual National Sportsmanship Awards Dinner held on Thursday, June 21, 2007, at the Chase Park Plaza Hotel in St. Louis, Mo. The event celebrates athletes and personalities from around the nation that exemplify outstanding sportsmanship, citizenship, ethical conduct and community service. The awards banquet is a signature event of the St. Louis Sports Commission’s Sportsmanship Initiative. By recognizing the outstanding individuals who set the standard with their approach on and off the court, the organization hopes to set the tone for all parents, coaches and fans to be “good sports” and pass those values on to children in the community.

To learn more about the awards dinner click here. For further information on the NAIA visit www.naia.org. To learn more about Davis and the Vanguard University women’s basketball program visit www.vanguard.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.