FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- October 26, 2004
CONTACT: Jason Mucher, Director of Athletic Communications (585) 567-9648

HOUGHTON NAMED AN INSTITUTION OF CHARACTER

HOUGHTON, N.Y. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has recognized Houghton College as a Champions of Character institution for the fourth-consecutive year. 

The award recognizes NAIA member institutions that have embraced the character program by promoting or implementing activities related to the five core character values of the initiative: respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership, and sportsmanship.

“We are pleased to once again be recognized for our work through this highly important program,” said Houghton Athletics Director Skip Lord. “The Champions of Character initiative is a natural fit for Houghton and the mission of our department. We are continually seeking new ways to share the character values on our campus and in the local communities.”

Houghton coaches and student-athletes are working directly with youth organizations, schools, and civic groups to educate, promote and incorporate the values within the sporting or daily activities of youth and adults. The college’s popular summer sports camps have become the ideal venue for sharing these values, and last spring Houghton gave its first Allegany County Champions of Character Student-Athlete Awards, honoring local high school athletes who best exemplify these character traits.

“Being a Champion of Character Institutional Award winner means that you take the time to intentionally practice what the NAIA and the institutional mission statement look like in action,” said Rob Miller, NAIA Director of Champions of Character Initiatives. “We are proud of our member institutions that take honor in this award and understand the importance we place on it.”

The recognition program honored 183 schools in this, its fourth year. In 2000-01, 124 institutions received the award, while the recipients numbered 160 in 2001-02 and 193 in 2002-03.

Through Champions of Character, the NAIA seeks to create an environment in which every NAIA student-athlete, coach, official and spectator is committed to the true spirit of competition. While the NAIA and its membership have utilized sport as a character development tool on an informal basis, this program educates and creates awareness of the positive character-building traits learned through sports and returns integrity to competition.

Houghton, a Christian college of 1,300 students in Western New York, is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and the American Mideast Conference. Houghton has been named a Champions of Character Institution for the past three years for its active involvement in the NAIA’s Champions of Character Initiative, a program that aims to teach the character values of respect, integrity, responsibility, servant leadership, and sportsmanship through athletics. Houghton coaches and student-athletes are working directly with youth organizations, schools, and civic groups to educate, promote and incorporate these values within the sporting or daily activities of youth and adults.

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