Baker University (Kan.) Baseball Program Receives Buffalo Funds Five Star Award

Coaches and student-athletes recognized for exhibiting exceptional character values

Posted 5.30.07

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 present Buffalo Funds Five Star Awards for each of the NAIA’s 23 championship sports. Baker University’s (Kan.) baseball team was recently awarded the Buffalo Funds Five Star Award for its dedication and implementation of the Champions of Character program’s five core values: respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership and sportsmanship. The Wildcats are led by head coach Phil Hannon and compete in the Heart of America Athletic Conference.

”Without character we would not be one of the top three teams in the conference. We are not the most talented team but our players enjoy playing as a team. The chemistry has been great,” said Hannon. “We have faced many obstacles in our season and each player stayed positive. If there was a negative player the team captains would address the situation. We could not have had this without the type of young men that live their lives with character.”

Coach Hannon meets with his captains and seniors on team issues throughout the season. He watches the team with a sharp eye and loves their passion for the game. His team has a spirit that is consistent among all the players in victory and defeat. Each member plays an active role in the operations of the baseball program. Players are responsible for the upkeep of the field, equipment and statistics. Junior varsity players and pitchers not participating in a game will run the press box which includes the PA, music and scoreboard. Coach Hannon makes sure that each player understands that the greater good of the team is more important than one individual player.   

“If a team does not have strong character and does not value something else besides winning and losing, then they are not a well rounded team. Most people say baseball is all about winning, but in reality it is character that defines a good team,” said junior Nick Burd. “Character has helped us not to just play to win, but to play because we enjoy the game and every aspect that it involves. We have the strongest chemistry of any team I have played for and it is all because we define our season not by winning and losing but by what we gained from each other as teammates.”

The Baker University Wildcats are part of a community dedicated to intentionally teaching character in and out of sport. To learn more visit www.bakeru.edu.

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.