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Cal Pac Earns Its 16th Straight Champions of Character Award
Posted: Jul 29, 2025

Cal Pac Earns Its 16th Straight Champions of Character Award

 

For the 16th consecutive year the California Pacific Conference is recognized as a Conference of Character by the NAIA. That's every year since the NAIA launched the measurement back in 2009.

"Our Presidents set attaining and maintaining this character status as one of our primary pillars," Dr. Don Ott, Cal Pac commissioner said. "Our institutions have taken this to heart every year, and I applaud the efforts of the campus leaders for pursuing and teaching the NAIA's five core character values."

This year, seven Cal Pac institutions were among the 210 NAIA member schools named Champions of Character Five-Star Award winners for 2024-25. Six of the seven schools earned Gold Star status, all of which recorded a perfect score of 100: Cal Maritime, La Sierra, Northern New Mexico, Simpson, Soka and Westcliff. Providence Christian earned a nod for Silver.

Institutions are evaluated on a demonstrated commitment to Champions of Character and earn points in character training, conduct in competition, academic focus, character recognition and character promotion. Institutions earned points based on exceptional student-athlete grade point averages and by having minimal to no ejections during competition throughout the course of the academic year.

The Champions of Character scorecard measures each institution's efforts and success in the areas of teaching, building, and reinforcing the NAIA's core values of Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Sportsmanship, and Servant-Leadership. Points are given for community service, teachable moments, and a host of other positive standards. Points can be deducted for ejections and sportsmanship lapses.

2024-25 Five-Star Conference Award Criteria

  • Established Champions of Character Conference Committee

  • Conference has a conduct in competition oversight committee composed of a minimum of three members

  • At least 60% of members institutions must receive the NAIA Champions of Character Five-Star Institution Award