NAIA names Kelly Schmidt of Vanguard University recipient of the 2007 Dr. LeRoy Walker Champions of Character Award

National award celebrates student-athlete success

Posted on 04.05.07

OLATHE, Kan. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced today that Kelly Schmidt, a student-athlete from Vanguard University (Calif.), has been named the 2007 recipient of the Dr. LeRoy Walker Champions of Character Award. This award is named after Dr. Walker, President emeritus of the United States Olympic Committee who served as president through the 1996 Atlanta Summer Games. Dr. Walker is a graduate of Benedict College (S.C.) and is a former president of the NAIA.
            
The award, considered one of the most prestigious awards in the NAIA, was created as part of the NAIA’s association with Citizenship Through Sports Alliance (CTSA). The award honors an NAIA student-athlete who excels in athletics and academics and is committed to the Champions of Character program’s five core values of respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership and sportsmanship.  
   

“Kelly exudes a real sense of purpose for her life. She is a principled person who incorporates an ethic of service into her character and conduct. Kelly builds trustful relationships that respect and honor the uniqueness of others,” said Vanguard University President Dr. Murray W. Dempster. “Kelly lives by the wholesome values and exerts a positive influence on her fellow athletes and student colleagues. She has a passion for life that is demonstrated in the joyful and diligent way she pursues her college degree and the persistent way she faces her competitive challenges. “  
       

A senior forward from Glendale, Ariz., Schmidt leads by example in all aspects in and out of athletics. In basketball, Schmidt is an NAIA All-American (2003-2007), NAIA Player of the Year (2005-06), Kodak Player of the Year (2005-06), Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Player of the Year (2005-06) and has numerous Golden State Athletic Conference accolades. Schmidt has scored over 2,500 points, registered over 1,000 rebounds and served as captain of the Vanguard University women’s basketball program in 2007.
             
“In our society today we need individuals like Kelly who make a difference. Kelly is a talented student-athlete, a superior student and a quality person with immense promise,” said Vanguard University women’s basketball coach Russ Davis. “Her honesty, consistency and trustworthiness have influenced others in a positive manner and have helped her cultivate strong relationship within the Vanguard community.”

While Schmidt’s play on the court speaks volumes she is just as talented in the classroom and community. A Liberal Studies major with a Religion minor, Schmidt has made the Dean’s list every semester at Vanguard. She has received Golden State Athletic and NAIA Scholar Athlete honors while maintaining numerous other commitments throughout the Costa Mesa community. When Schmidt is not practicing jump shots or in a class she is serving in other leadership roles in organizations such as Vanguard athletic ministries, frontline leadership and the L.I.O.N. Champions of Character program.

“I can say I am a completely different person than I was when I came to college. One of the most important things I learned is to have a life that didn’t just revolve around basketball but to become a well rounded person,” said Schmidt. “To achieve this balance, I took many things that I’ve learned from basketball and incorporated them into other parts of my life. At the same time, I brought things from other parts of my life into basketball, and that is why I embraced the concept of changing the culture of sport. To truly be a person of character is a choice. The five core character values provide a great model of what an athlete should look like, but also what a person should look like in life.”
         

Schmidt received the national Dr. LeRoy Walker Champions of Character Award from the following list of regional award winners: Raynelle Kurtz of Concordia University (Ore., Region I); Angela Grace Sullivan of Midland Lutheran College (Neb., Region III); Leah Elizabeth Rankin of Southwestern College (Kan., Region IV); Kevin T. Ford of Benedictine College (Kan., Region V); Trent Reynolds of Huston-Tillotson University (Texas, Region VI); Clint Perry of William Penn University (Iowa, Region VII); Rebekah Deal of Taylor University (Ind., Region VIII); Krysti Wilson of Mount Vernon Nazarene University (Ohio, Region IX); Tonya Amburgey of Pikeville College (Ky., Region XI); Timothy Wendall Lewis of Montreat College (N.C., Region XII); Seth Carlson of Savannah College of Art and Design (Ga., Region XIV).
           
“The NAIA is extremely proud to recognize student-athletes who demonstrate character driven intercollegiate athletics. These individuals are committed to the Champions of Character ideal and have used the five character values to excel in competition and in the classroom,” said NAIA Director of Champions of Character Initiatives Rob Miller. “The NAIA congratulates all regional winners and Kelly for changing the culture of sport.”

Schmidt 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 Missouri. 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 field, 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.

-NAIA-

A leader in the development of student-athletes, the NAIA is committed to hanging 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.