March 19, 2008
PHOTO GALLERY | Tip Off Banquet, Clarence Walker Recognition and Champions of Character Scholarship Presentations
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The 71st annual NAIA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship officially got underway Tuesday night with the Champions of Character banquet and awards ceremony. Approximately 450 student-athletes attended the event on the eve of tournament play.
Each of the 32 teams participating in the 2008 tournament selected one team member who best exhibits the true meaning of Champions of Character. In 2000, the NAIA launched the program that focuses on the following five core character values: respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership and sportsmanship. At each of the NAIA's 23 national championships student-athletes are recognized for not only their accomplishments in sport, but also the character traits they display towards their teammates, coaches, teachers and fans.
In addition to the individual awards, Dr. Phil and Mary Pattison, who are longtime NAIA supporters, presented five student-athletes with Champions of Character scholarships. The individuals that received Champions of Character scholarships were: Micah Hayes, Emmanuel College (Ga.), Ermin Tarcin, Mountain State University (W. Va.), Evan Randall, Texas Wesleyan University, Murray Jenkins, Lee University (Tenn.), Josh Porter, Louisiana State University - Shreveport.
To learn more about the Champions of Character program visit www.championsofcharacter.org. Fans can follow the Champions of Character athletes and their teams at the 2008 Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship at www.naia.org. To learn more about tournament special events, tickets and game times visit www.naiahoops.com.
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2008 Champions of Character Award Winners |
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Players |
School |
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Nathan Thomas |
Auburn University Montgomery |
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Kimarley Williams |
Azusa Pacific University |
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Dave Cernin |
California Baptist University |
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Clint Graham |
Campbellsville University |
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Derek Johnson |
Carroll College |
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Trae Hall |
Columbia College |
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Rafael DaSilva |
Concordia University |
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Kevin Bufford |
Cumberland University |
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Dustin Fothergill |
University of the Cumberlands |
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Micah Hayes |
Emmanuel College |
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Kyle Saxton |
Georgetown College |
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Antwan Long |
Lambuth University |
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Charles Loftis |
Langston University |
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Murray Jenkins |
Lee University |
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Caleb Orr |
Lewis-Clark State College |
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Josh Porter |
Louisiana State University-Shreveport |
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Eric Howard |
Martin Methodist College |
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Trent Kull |
McKendree University |
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Steve Pellan |
University of Mobile |
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Ermin Tarcin |
Mountain State University |
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Jamar Fortune |
Oklahoma Baptist University |
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John Roby |
Oklahoma City University |
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Phil French |
Olivet Nazarene University |
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Nick Corso |
Point Loma Nazarene University |
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Othyus Jeffers |
Robert Morris College |
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Sheldon Stoker |
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma |
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Brent Kimmel |
Southern Nazarene University |
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Nick Wirth |
Saint Xavier University |
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Evan Randall |
Texas Wesleyan University |
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Chris Harris |
Trevecca Nazarene University |
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Danny Storey |
Wayland Baptist University |
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Kelechi Okoraha |
Xavier University of Louisiana |
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