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Berry College (Ga.) Men's Basketball Program Receives Buffalo Funds Five Star Award
Coaches and student-athletes recognized for exhibiting exceptional character values
Posted 4.10.07
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. The Berry College (Ga.) men’s basketball program 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 Vikings, who compete in the Southern States Athletic Conference, are led by head coach Jeff Haarlow.
”Character is a vital part of team chemistry because it forms the bonds that hold the team together. It has enabled us to play as a unit to beat some teams that have more talent than us,” said Haarlow. “When we are successful, it is because of our guy’s character that bonds us together and makes our one unit stronger than the other team’s five players.”
The Berry men’s basketball team has a motto, “Program-Team-Player”, which means that each team member should always ask themselves if what they are doing is good for the program, the team and themselves. Each player is constantly aware of his actions and knows that each decision can have a positive or negative effect on the program. Outside the court Berry athletes are involved in a community service initiative called Athletes Bettering the Community.
”I believe that it is important to incorporate character into team dynamics in order to be able to establish trust among the players and coaches. If players have the character or desire to do what is best for the team, then the team will develop a stronger bond that will enable them to achieve their goals,” said senior forward Butch Caldwell. “Character has helped me to become a hard worker and gives me the will to work harder everyday. I believe that if everyone on the team believes in the program and has a desire to work hard, then we will be a stronger more cohesive team.”
Haarlow, Caldwell and the Berry College Vikings are part of the community that is dedicated to intentionally teaching character in and out of sport. To learn more visit www.berry.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.
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