KIAC named a Champions of Character "Five-Star Conference"

9/11/2015 12:00:00 AM

FLORENCE, Ky. -- The Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference was named an NAIA Champions of Character "Five-Star Conference", the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics announced on Thursday (Sept. 10).

The KIAC earned the recognition for its commitment to the NAIA's Champions of Character program both from the conference standpoint and by its member institutions. The KIAC and its members strive to uphold the values of the NAIA and maintain high standards on the NAIA's Champions of Character Scorecard.

"This is great news for the KIAC," said KIAC Commissioner Scott McClure, who assumed his duties on July 1, 2015. "I shared the news with former KIAC Commissioner Bill Melton as soon as I found out because I know how much it meant to him that the KIAC earn Champion of Character Five-Star Conference status in his final year of service as commissioner.

"Our conference will continue to strive to promote and exhibit character-driven intercollegiate athletics in competition, education and service. The KIAC had eight schools earn NAIA Five-Star Institution status in the Champions of Character program for 2014-15, and our goal is for all 13 conference schools to reach that status this year."

Every NAIA institution has its progress in pursuing character education tracked and recognized annually for achievements in training, promotion and conduct in competition. The Champions of Character Scorecard measures commitment in five key areas and has a possible 100 points. There are three levels that are awarded: Gold (90-100 points), Silver (75-89 points) and Bronze levels (60-74).

For the NAIA Champions of Character Scorecard, schools have their commitment judged in five areas: 1. Training to Staff, 2. Live 5 Student-Athlete Training Courses, 3. Live 5 Activities, 4. Outreach and 5. Community Service.

"The Champions of Character program continues to grow and impact people throughout our nation as a result of the passion and commitment of NAIA member institutions such as the KIAC," according to an email from the NAIA to the KIAC office. "We trust that you will continue to spread the Champions of Character message over the coming year."

For a complete breakdown of the 2014-15 NAIA's Champions of Character Five-Star Institution awards, click here: NAIA RELEASE

The KIAC has 8 of 11 members as NAIA Champions of Character "Five-Star" Institutions in 2014-15. The following is a breakdown of the schools that earned the achievement and the category that they qualified for:

2014-15 NAIA Champions of Character "Five-Star Institutions" -- Silver
Alice Lloyd (Ky.) College
Asbury (Ky.) University
Indiana University Southeast
Point Park (Pa.) University
University of Rio Grande (Ohio)

2014-15 NAIA Champions of Character "Five-Star Institutions" -- Bronze
Carlow (Pa.) University
Indiana University East
Midway (Ky.) University