The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics(NAIA) named 231 colleges and universities to the list of Champions of Character institutions for the 2008-09 school year. This number represents an increase of 31 institutions over last year. The California Pacific Conference had seven institutions listed out of the eight members of the conference.

The mission of Champions of Character is to restore character values and raise a generation of students who understand and demonstrate in everyday decisions integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership. The NAIA and member institutions use the Champions of Character program to instill an understanding of character values in sport, and provide student-athletes, coaches and parents the training to help them know and do the right things, inside and outside the sports setting. The program is dedicated to the principle that character is a choice and that being a champion is not just about winning, but making good decisions consistently in daily life.

To be considered a Champions of Character institution, schools must complete a form which is later reviewed by a team directed by NAIA Vice President of Champions of Character Rob Haworth. These schools incorporate the five core values in the campus community and educate student-athletes, coaches, parents and fans on specific standards and expectations.

"The Champions of Character program supports performance-driven athletics while defining expectations and standards that drive successful teams and athletic departments," said Haworth . "I congratulate these fine institutions and thank the administrators, coaches and student-athletes for playing a role in advancing character-driven intercollegiate athletics." 

Click here for the list of 2008-09 Champions of Character Institutions and for additional information on Champions of Character visit www.ChampionsofCharacter.org.