OXFORD, Ohio- The River States Conference is pleased to announce the selection of Indiana University Southeast softball player Hallie Foley as the 2025-26 Bill Melton Female Champion of Character recipient. 

The RSC Bill Melton Champion of Character Award annually recognizes student-athletes for excellence in academics, athletics and the embodiment of the NAIA Champions of Character values. The award is named for former RSC (then called KIAC) Commissioner Bill Melton. It promotes and recognizes the core values of the NAIA Champions of Character program: Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Servant Leadership and Sportsmanship.

Foley will have her name forwarded on to the national ballot as a candidate for the NAIA Leroy Walker Award, of which the Bill Melton Award is modeled after.

Nominated by their institution, candidates must be at least a junior with a 3.0+ GPA. Other considerations for the award are campus and community leadership, embracing the five core values and athletic achievement. The award was established in 2015-16, and the honoree is selected after a vote of the River States Conference's athletic directors.

In submitting Foley for the award, IU Southeast softball coach Courtney Holm stated that Foley was the type of player every coach dreams about leading their team.

"Hallie Foley is someone every coach wants on their team, not only as a player but as another coach/leader/role model," Holm said. "Hallie is someone you can rely on and you can always expect her to accomplish any task you put in front of her, and the way she carries herself with pride and respect is something that promotes our team to be the best version of themselves."

Nominees for the Melton Award are also asked to submit an essay touching on the NAIA's five core character values. In her essay, Foley wrote about servant leadership and how it has guided her on the softball field and off.

"Servant leadership is more than just a type of leadership to me; it is a way of life," Foley said. "My experiences in softball, academics, and faith have taught me the importance of lifting those around me; by being there for others, showing compassion and empathy, I hope to have a positive impact on others."