Clarke Athletics earns NAIA Champions of Character Five-Star Gold Designation for 2020-21 Season

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Following a season of silver status, Clarke University Athletics earned Gold recognition as a Five-Star school in the NAIA Champions of Character program.

There were 157 NAIA institutions named Champions of Character Five-Star Award winners for the 2020-21 season. Of the 157, just 62 schools earned the gold designation, the highest a school can achieve as a five-star winner.

Traditionally, 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 NAIA worked to collaborate with member institutions to better reflect efforts that were impacted by transition and adjustments from COVID-19.

The Heart of America Athletic Conference also earned a Five-Star Conference rating in the Champions of Character program. The criteria for a conference is as follows:

• 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