Champions of Character
Mission Statement
The NAIA "Champions of Character" initiative will create an environment in which every NAIA student-athlete, coach, official and spectator is committed to the true spirit of competition through respect, integrity, responsibility, servant leadership, and sportsmanship.
The word "champion" was chosen for its definition. The word is defined as "to defend, advocate or support a cause; and, the holder of first place or the winner of a contest".
The NAIA Character Initiative has been established for just those purposes. To advocate for character, to defend the principles of character, to support the cause of character and to be a winner through good character.
Core Character Values
Respect
Respect is treating yourself, other persons, institutions, and sport according to the highest standards of conduct. It implies civilized and even gracious behavior. Respect is believed by some to mean applying the Golden Rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" or the Silver Rule, "Do not do unto others what you do not want them to do unto you." Sport is an opportunity for all individuals to build self-respect while earning the respect of others. This can be accomplished by having:
Respect for yourself
- learn to practice and play to your potential
- build confidence and learn about yourself by actively seeking the challenges sport can offer
Respect for opponents
- they are needed at their best to measure and challenge you
- must value highly to have competition
- eliminate taunting and trash talking
Respect for all others associated with the game
- be gracious hosts to visitors
- players and coaches will give and earn respect for game officials
- coaches will earn the respect of players, parents, administrators, and fans
- players will earn the respect of teammates, coaches, and fans
Respect for the game
- honor your sport with your best efforts and conduct
- respectfully participate in pre and post game rituals
- win with humility and lose with dignity
- play within the letter and intent of rules - no gamesmanship
Responsibility
This core value means being accountable for your actions.
student-athletes should be accountable to themselves, their teams, coaches, institutions and their sport. This includes making decisions in the areas of role-modeling, education, self-control, respect, rules, refraining from performance enhancing drugs, conditioning, and personal conduct.
coaches and athletic administrators should maintain high standards of competence and conduct to ensure the optimal safety, welfare, and development of student-athletes.
Integrity
Whereby honesty is telling the truth or conforming words to our reality, integrity is keeping commitments or conforming reality to our words. That is, integrity means developing an integrated character that includes, but goes beyond honesty. It also implies not lying, cheating or stealing.
For all coaches, this will mean subscribing to and practicing the NAIA Coaches Code and Code of Ethics. Student-athletes must know, understand, and appreciate the NAIA "Champions of Character" honor pledge.
Servant Leadership
The servant leadership core value refers to putting the group first while also becoming responsible for personal and group roles while performing at your best. Leadership implies managing yourself well, becoming a good follower as well as inspiring others to follow you. Sports with servant leadership have a primary purpose of serving others while striving to become a personal and team leader. Role modeling is an essential tool of the servant-leader who provides a critical service to society with the great gift of good example.
Sportsmanship
The sportsmanship core value is a matter of being good (character) and doing right (actions) in sports. Thus, sportsmanship, in essence, is the conduct of educational sports according to the highest standards.
Sportsmanship is also called fair play and refers to high standards of justice in the sports setting. Fairness and equity is expected in all contests and relationships.
Thus, sportsmanship means conducting athletics while adhering to the highest principles of respect or civility, responsibility, integrity and justice/fair play.
