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Oklahoma Christian University Division I Women's Basketball Program Receives Buffalo Funds Five Star Award
Coaches and student-athletes recognized for exhibiting exceptional character values
Posted 3.30.07
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. The Oklahoma Christian University division I  women’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 Lady Eagles, who compete in the Sooner Athletic Conference, are led by head coach Stephanie Findley.
”Character is an important part of team chemistry because it is a vital part of the individuals who make up the team. As the old saying goes, ‘character is what you are in the dark’. Good team chemistry cannot exist by pretending to care in the light and tearing things down in the dark. Each team member must buy in to the importance of good and sincere character,” said Findley. “This team has done that, they genuinely care about the team as a whole first and they want to push each other to always reach for a better performance and excellence.”
The Lady Eagles, give 100 percent on and off the court. In the programs 30 year history the 2007 Lady Eagles qualified for Oklahoma Christian’s eighth straight trip to the national championship tournament while maintaining a team grade point average of 3.6. The three seniors on the team provide leadership, encouragement and have a can do attitude that fosters an environment that believes it can come back no matter the circumstance.
“I think it is evident by the way that we play that our teammates put the team first. We have a team full of stars that work together on the court and selflessly share the ball to look out for the team rather than their personal stats,” said senior forward Abbie Tiffany. “Incorporating character into our team dynamics is what makes our relationships so strong on and off the court. Having character builds trust and trusting your teammates is an essential part of basketball.” Findley, Tiffany and the Oklahoma Christian Lady Eagles are part of the community that is dedicated to intentionally teaching character in and out of sport. To learn more visit www.oc.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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