Asbury's DeMartine earns KIAC Coach of Character Award
FLORENCE, Ky. -- Asbury (Ky.) University softball head coach Samantha DeMartine has earned for the 2015-16 KIAC Coach of Character Award, the conference announced on Monday.
DeMartine, who has coached Asbury softball the last three years, was nominated by her institution and chosen after voting conducted by the Champions of Character liaisons at the KIAC's 13 member schools.
The KIAC Coach of Character Award is patterned after the NAIA award of the same name and is given annually to a head coach who has been outstanding in embracing the five core values of the NAIA's Champions of Character initiative, using methods of teaching character through sport and in community leadership through volunteering or service.
The five core values of Champions of Character are respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership and sportsmanship.
In the nomination from Asbury University, athletic director Mark Perdue stated that DeMartine "has a heart for missions and community and spearheaded the following activities for her team this year" :
- DNOW, a retreat weekend for Discipline Now to minister to young women
- Volunteering at Thomas Hood Vet Center in Wilmore, Ky.
- Participation in END IT Movement to end slavery
- Letters to women of human trafficking for A-21 campaign
- Handed out Chapsticks to human trafficking risk areas in Nicholasville, Ky.
For more information on the KIAC, visit KIACSports.com. On July 1, 2016, the KIAC will change its name to the River States Conference.