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Vanguard University (Calif .) Men's Outdoor Track and Field 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. Vanguard University (Calif.) men’s outdoor track and field 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 Lions are led by head coach Bryan Wilkins. The team accepted the award at the 56th Annual NAIA Men’s Outdoor Track & Field National Championship in Fresno, Calif.
“When our athletes embrace the character qualities we promote and adopt them it creates amazing camaraderie and a close bond among our team. Everyone is excited to be a part of something positive and meaningful,” said Wilkins. “With a close knit team comes energy, passion, accountability, strengthened work ethic and a deep desire to contribute to the team’s success. Enhanced performance is a natural progression when all these forces are in play.”
Vanguard University is known throughout the NAIA community for its dedication to character driven intercollegiate athletics. The university hosts a Champions of Character Program Center on the Costa Mesa campus and many student-athletes, including several members of the men’s track and field team, are part of a campus initiative called LIONS (Leaders Influencing Our Nations Sports). The group meets regularly to discuss leadership strategies and serving opportunities.
“It is important to incorporate character into team dynamics because without character it is impossible to have trust within the team. Character builds the team up and keeps the group together,” said junior runner Billy Smith. “Character allows the team to stay unified because it helps each of us build a strong bond with one another on the basis of trust.”
Wilkins and the Vanguard University Lions are part of a community dedicated to intentionally teaching character in and out of sport. To learn more 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. 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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