ALISO VIEJO, CA- The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), the NAIA Character Advisory Committee, and the NAIA National Office selected the Soka University of America Lions as a Silver- Champions of Character® Five-Star Award institution. Despite remaining virtual for the 2020-2021 academic year, Soka University Athletics' staff and student-athletes continued to embody the NAIA's core values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership by identifying ways to virtually earn points on the NAIA Champions of Character Scorecard from around the globe.

Traditionally, institutions are measured on a demonstrated commitment to the Champions of Character program and earn points in character training, conduct in competition, academic focus, and character recognition and promotion. Institutions receive points based on exceptional student-athlete grade point averages and have minimal to no ejections during competitions throughout the academic year. The NAIA collaborated with member institutions to better reflect efforts impacted by transition and adjustments from Covid-19. The Champions of Character Scorecard measures each institution's efforts and success in teaching, building, and reinforcing the NAIA's core values. Points are given for community service, teachable moments, and a host of other positive standards. Points can be deducted for ejections and sportsmanship lapses.

The Champions of Character program continues to grow and impact people throughout the nation due to the passion and commitment of NAIA member institutions. Champions of Character activities are an integral part of every NAIA Championship annually, impacting more than 25,000 individuals. Champions of Character provides training for student-athletes and professional development for coaches and staff. 

In total, 157 member institutions were named Champions of Character® Five-Star Award winners. Additionally, a conference collectively attains the Conference of Character status when over two-thirds of its members reach at least the Bronze status--something increasingly more challenging numerically as the California Pacific Conference is now the largest league in the West. Since the NAIA began awarding the Conference of Character standard in 2009, the Cal Pac has been recognized as a Five-Star Conference. In the Covid-19 year, the conference had 11 member schools earn national recognition. It is worth noting that the Cal Pac Student-Athlete Council (S.A.C.) agreed during its recent annual leadership summit that the goal is 100 percent school achievement in 2021-22.

"The Champions of Character program is central to the NAIA's purpose and the Cal Pac membership's desire to make this the core of its mission," said Cal Pac Conference Commissioner Don Ott.  "We've seen the growth in our on-field success has a clear connection for how much we care about competing with respect, responsibility, integrity, sportsmanship, and servant-leadership. I congratulate all our student-athletes and programs for attaining this important recognition again."