Statesmen Win Another Champions of Character Award
William Penn Women’s Athletics
Oskaloosa–For the second time in three years, the William Penn women’s golf team excelled as a Champion of Character by claiming the NAIA’s top award.
The Statesmen golf team was honored by the NAIA as the recipient of the sport’s Buffalo Funds Five Star Champions of Character Team Award. The award is the third for William Penn since joining the NAIA in 2001-2002, including the women’s golf team also winning it in 2011-2012 and the women’s indoor track and field team earning the accolade in 2012-2013.
The team began its service during the fall by helping the local Optimist Club. All team members of WPU assisted in placing, mounting, and taking down 120 flags around Lacey Complex Stadium during the football team’s Veteran’s Day game.
“It was an enjoyable experience helping the Oskaloosa Optimist Club, and it was great to see so many others in the community helping as well,” Junior Ashley Manhnieo said. “We feel it is important to recognize our veterans and show them that we support them and show them one of our character values of respect.”
The program was the busiest during the winter, beginning by ringing bells for the Salvation Army’s Kettle Campaign. All 14 members volunteered at least two hours apiece, raising over $1,000 for the organization.
“Ringing bells for the Salvation Army is a very rewarding experience,” Junior Alexandria Eckenrod said. “Knowing that just a few minutes out of our day are going to help so many people is truly amazing.”
“It was great to give back and help facilitate donations for those who are less fortunate,” Freshman Alexi Rule said. “It was very cold, but worth every second; all of us on the team were proud to help out.”
Several team members are majoring in Elementary Education and they proposed the idea of also organizing a warm clothing drive last winter. The winter started (and ended) as among the coldest on record and while doing observation hours at the elementary school, team members noticed some children were not properly equipped for the weather. The team set up donation boxes around campus and eventually gathered nearly 100 items of clothing.
The squad concluded its service by assisting at the Southeast Iowa Special Olympics in April. Ten members volunteered as chaperones and workers for the running long jump event.
Individually, Coach Rule, while down in Texas signing a recruit, talked to students at Roy Miller HS in Corpus Christi. He spoke to over 150 students, many of whom were at-risk individuals about the COC program. Using the COC’s five core values as talking points, he spoke about what the students needed to do to play in college.
“A big part of our program is giving back to our community and our team is honored to do that each year,” Head Coach Nik Rule said. “We want to thank the NAIA for noticing our body of work and honoring William Penn with the recognition. We preach to our athletes that we can make a greater impact on society as a group than we can as individuals and we hope that mentality opens the door to them giving back when they leave here.”
Sophomore Natalie Booton, who was named her team’s COC representative, was also glad her team was so involved.
“It means the world to us to be able to help others, especially those in need,” Booton said. “If volunteering a few moments of our time allows for us to make a difference in someone’s life, it is worth it.”
