The mission of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Champions of Character Program is to provide training to ensure character is demonstrated through conduct as well as competition, so students know, do and value the right thing in all areas of life.
Why? By the age of 13, 70% of youth drop out of organized youth sports, most often saying it's because they're not having fun anymore.
Research shows that the longer a student spends in sports, their social reasoning - sacrificing for the good of the team - rises, however, their moral reasoning skills - doing what is fair, just, honest, and noble - decline. The result is athletes are willing to lie, cheat, and steal to get their teammates ahead.
Meeting the Need Through the Champions of Character program, the NAIA is promoting five core character values that are crucial to the development of our youth: integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership. Over time, valuable life lessons — working together for team goals, building personal strength of purpose to achieve victory, and sharing in the proper winning (or losing) spirit-can be instilled in sports participants.
At the same time, the expectations that coaches and parents have for the athletes they support have led to conduct that detracts from the sports experience. Poor demonstrations of character are easily copied by young athletes. However, when athletes develop their skills in an environment in which adults' actions foster character-driven conduct, they are bound to do the same. Inherent to the Champions of Character process is the belief that character is handed down from one generation to the next. When those who provide athletic opportunities are willing to commit to character-driven athletics and put the athlete first both the game and society overall benefit.
The Role of Parents in Athletics
Parents' actions greatly contribute to the character development and success of their student athlete.Champions of Character process teaches parents how to better support their student athlete on and off the field of competition.
See Parent Videos HERE
Student-Athletes & Players
The Champions of Character process encourages student-athletes to discover the character traits that are within your control and identify steps you can take before, during and after the contest to intentionally incorporate those traits into your heart and mind. Student-athletes who develop a champion mindset become better athlete, teammate, community member and employee.
