Menlo College Women's Basketball Team Takes Home Buffalo Funds Five Star Award

Coaches and Players Recognized for Exhibiting Exceptional Character Values On and Off the Court

Posted 03.10.06

Olathe, Kan. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and Buffalo Funds will present Buffalo Funds Five Star Awards for each of the NAIA’s 23 championship sports. Menlo College (Calif.) women’s basketball team was recently awarded the Buffalo Funds Five Star Award for their dedication and implementation of the five core character values on and off the court.

Menlo College is one of 158 schools that sponsor NAIA Division II Women’s Basketball. The Oaks were selected for this award based on how the team, athletes and coaches exhibit the Champions of Character ideal.

The Oaks are led by Caitlin Collier who is in her eighth year as the head coach of the Menlo women’s basketball program. Menlo College was given the third seed in its respective bracket and opened the 32-team, single-elimination 2006 NAIA Division II Women’s Basketball National Championship with a win against sixth-seeded Davenport of Michigan on Thursday, March 9 at the Tyson Events Center/Gateway Arena in Sioux City Iowa. Menlo will face St. Francis (Ind.) in the second round on Friday, March 10 at 2:15 p.m. CT.

The Menlo College women’s basketball program’s mission is to work hard and together to create a powerful team in which each individual contributes to the goal of winning. Throughout the school year the coaches and players focus on the following five core values: respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership and sportsmanship. 2006 has been the most successful year in the history of Menlo College women’s basketball and the core values created the foundation for the program’s tremendous accomplishments.

The Oaks set the bar high and have enjoyed victory on and off the court this year. Following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina the team raised $5,000 for hurricane victims and the American Red Cross. Members of the team collected pledges for the number of shots made out of 100. Sonet Yee and Shannon Riley topped the list with 95 and 93 respectively, while freshmen Candace Cook and Amy Castillo raised the most money.

“It was a very successful event and we exceeded the expectation on campus and on our team,” Castillo said. “It enriched our team chemistry greatly and we all felt good about being able to give back to those who have experienced a horrible disaster.”

It is apparent by watching the Menlo women’s basketball team on and off the court that the entire team has a true understanding of what it means to be a team of character. Players and coaches do daily exercises that challenge players to think about not only the physical aspects of the game but what being a team leader is about. Collier is committed to teaching her players that being a good person is not just using strong will power, but truly acting with a good heart.

To learn more about Menlo College visit www.menlo.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 Men’s Division I Basketball National Championship. To learn more about Buffalo Funds visit www.buffalofunds.com .