William Penn Continues to be a Champion of Character
William Penn University Athletics
Oskaloosa–William Penn University has been honored with the NAIA Champions of Character Five Star award for the 2011-2012 school year as the national list was announced last week.
William Penn is one of 221 institutions that were recognized by the NAIA. Montana Tech topped all NAIA schools with a perfect score of 100, while the navy and gold tallied 70 points.
All seven schools that currently comprise the Midwest Collegiate Conference were named Champions of Character. The MCC was one of just six conferences to have all members reach the mark. All recipients will be recognized on the NAIA’s COC website as well as receive a special web banner and certificate noting the honor.
To receive the award, members must score 60 or more points on the NAIA Champions of Character Scorecard. Institutions were measured based on a demonstrated commitment to the COC initiative and could earn points in each of the following categories: character training, conduct in competition, academic focus, character recognition, and character promotion. Institutions could also pick up points based on exceptional student-athlete grade point averages and by obtaining zero ejections during competition throughout the course of the academic year.
According to the NAIA’s release, “The Scorecard was crafted to convert the NAIA’s vision and strategy into measurable goals and to monitor progress towards advancing character-driven intercollegiate athletics. The initiative supports performance-driven athletics while defining expectations and standards that drive successful teams and athletics departments.”
William Penn has excelled in the COC program, having received five Dr. LeRoy Walker Champions of Character Region VII or MCC Awards (2005-2008, 2010) and claiming Region VII or MCC Coach of Character honors in 2006, 2007, and 2010.
All of the University’s athletic programs make a conscious effort to demonstrate the Champions of Character’s five core values which are respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership, and sportsmanship.
