Texas A&M University-Texarkana has been named a 2015-2016 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Champions of Character silver level five-star institution.
Champions of Character provides training to ensure student-athletes know, do and value the right things in all areas of life. Five core values – integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership – are put into play, accounted for and tracked at all NAIA schools.
Institutions are measured 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 also earn 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.
“As a department of four years, receiving the Champions of Character Five Star Award is truly an indication of the quality of personnel among the coaching staff, athletic department and the student-athletes themselves,” said A&M-Texarkana Athletic Director Michael Galvan. “Our coordinator of student-athlete services does a spectacular job of finding projects and teaming up with our coaches who interact with community members to find these volunteer services. Our student-athletes have bought into the idea of serving the community they are a part of and have become giving of their time to schools, nonprofits and those who are in need.”
A&M-Texarkana’s athletic department has been recognized as a five-star institution the past two years. Last year, the university received the NAIA Champions of Character Bronze Star Award and has upgraded to the NAIA Champions of Character Silver Star Award.
The Champions of Character program launched in the early-2000s and is continually refining to ensure the NAIA is always at the forefront of character promotion in collegiate athletics.
Amber Galvan manages the Champions of Character program for A&M-Texarkana.
The Red River Athletic Conference was also named a Five-Star Conference.
