CSM earns NAIA Champions of Character Five-Star Gold status

OMAHA, Neb. – College of Saint Mary (CSM) has been named a 2024-2025 NAIA Champions of Character Five-Star Gold Institution.

A total of 210 institutions across the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) earned Five-Star Gold status in 2024-2025. 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.

Schools can earn three levels of the award: Gold, Silver and Bronze.

Also, the Great Plains Athletic Conference – of which CSM is a member – earned the Five-Star Conference Award. In order to earn that recognition, the conference must have an established Champions of Character conference committee, a conduct in competition oversight committee with at least three members and at least 60% of its members must receive the NAIA Champions of Character Five-Star Institution Award.

The mission of the Champions of Character program is to provide training to instill the values that build character so students, coaches and parents know, do and value the right thing, on and off the field.

The program helps participants find balance by keeping the five core 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 these values through their coaching and mentoring. Parents learn how their behavior is key to supporting athletics.

For more information, visit Five-Star Award Winners - NAIA.