DAKOTA WESLEYAN NAMED FIVE-STAR CHAMPIONS OF CHARACTER INSTITUTION WITH PERFECT SCORE FOR THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR
The Dakota Wesleyan University athletic department has been named a Gold Five-Star Champions of Character Institution by the NAIA with a perfect score of 100 for the third straight year. There were 20 conferences that received the 2022-23 Champions of Character Five-Star Conferences honors, including the Great Plains Athletic Conference, which DWU is a member of. Out of the 171 NAIA institutions that earned a Five-Star Institution Award, only 62 schools earned the gold distinction.
MITCHELL, S.D. – The Dakota Wesleyan University athletic department has been named a Gold Five-Star Champions of Character Institution by the NAIA with a perfect score of 100 for the third straight year. Dakota Wesleyan is one of 27 institutions in the NAIA and one of the two in the Great Plains Athletic Conference with a perfect score with the other being Northwestern College. Out of the 241 NAIA member institutions only 171 earned a Five-Star Institution Award, and only 62 schools earned the gold distinction.
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 earned 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.
The Champions of Character scorecard measures growth in character training, academic focus, character recognition, character promotion, and conduct in competition. All of these measures are an extension of the core values of the NAIA - integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership. There were 20 conferences that received the 2022-23 Champions of Character Five-Star Conferences honors, including the Great Plains Athletic Conference, which DWU is a member of.
2022-23 Five-Star Conference Award Criteria
- Established Champions of Character Conference Committee
- Conference has a conduct in competition oversight committee composed of a minimum of three members
- At least 50% of members institutions must receive the NAIA Champions of Character Five-Star Institution Award
Dakota Wesleyan Athletic Director, Jon Hart commented on the three-time honor saying, "We couldn't be prouder to receive this recognition once again from the NAIA. This award reflects excellence in respect, integrity, responsibility, sportsmanship, and leadership. We are honored to represent the values of the NAIA at the highest level."
Schools use a scorecard to measure the pursuit of character-driven athletics. If a school scores a minimum of 60 points out of 100, it is named a Five-Star Institution. There are distinction levels which are based on how many points a school earns which can qualify a school as bronze, silver, or gold status. With a perfect score of 100, DWU earned gold status.
"Our coaches, student-athletes, faculty and staff have high expectations and this recognition is a strong reflection of how we demonstrate those standards," said Hart.
