As a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and Champions of Character program, the Missouri Baptist University Athletics Department aims to change the culture of sport and provide training to instill the values that build character and lead students, coaches and administrators to know, do and value the right thing on and off the field.
The NAIA Champions of Character program helps participants find the balance by keeping five values – integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership – at the heart of the athletics experience. Students learn to understand how the values play out in both practice and competition, coaches are taught how to intentionally define, model, shape and reinforce the values through their coaching and mentoring, and parents learn how their behavior is key to supporting their athletes.
MBU's Champions of Character program includes:
- Ongoing character education for all student-athletes using the Champions of Character Live 5 Orientation Program
- Professional development for coaches and athletics administration including the Character-Driven Coaching Course
- Activities and projects that promote servant leadership on campus and in community
- Emphasis on conduct in competition, hospitality and game management for all athletic events
- Ongoing oversight and assessment of the program's implementation and progress
