DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Embry-Riddle was one of 217 NAIA institutions named a Champions of Character Five-Star school in 2012-13. Embry-Riddle scored 69 points on the scorecard, helping The Sun Conference become just one of two leagues to have all its members earn the honor for the second year in a row.
The Champions of Character Scorecard measures each institution's commitment to the NAIA Champions of Character program. Points are earned in five key areas: character training, conduct in competition, character recognition, academic focus and character promotion.
This year, NAIA-member institutions average a 67.48 score on the Champions of Character Scorecard, which is comparable to the 2011-12 mark of 67.63. However, among Five-Star Champions of Character Institutions, the average score is 73.55—an improvement of over a point from last years' figure of 71.91.
The biggest change from last year came in the conduct in competition category. For the 2011-12 season, NAIA programs accumulated 630 ejections. That number dropped to 578 for 2012-13.
For the second-straight year, all 23 NAIA Conferences were named Five Star Champions of Character Conferences. This distinction is bestowed on every conference in which 60 percent of the member institutions earn Champions of Character Five Star Institution status.
The American Midwest Conference, Golden State Athletic Conference, Heart of America Athletic Conference, Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference, Midwest Collegiate Conference, North Star Athletic Association, Southern States Athletic Conference and The Sun Conference shared top billing with each conference having 100 percent of its member schools make the grade. The Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference and The Sun Conference were repeat 100 percent conferences from a year ago.
Since 1937, the NAIA has administered programs and championships in proper balance with the overall educational experience. In 2000, the NAIA reaffirmed its purpose to enhance the character-building aspects of sport. Through the Champions of Character program, the NAIA seeks to create an environment in which every student-athlete, coach, official and spectator is committed to the true spirit of competition through five core values: integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership.
For more information about the NAIA Champions of Character Scorecard, click here.
To view the complete list of 2012-13 NAIA Champions of Character Five-Star Institutions, click here.
