CSM named NAIA Champions of Character Five-Star Institution

OMAHA, Neb. – The College of Saint Mary was recently named an NAIA Champions of Character Five-Star Institution. It is the eighth straight year CSM has earned the honor and its third straight year of earning silver level distinction.

Each year, NAIA schools use the Champions of Character scorecard to measure the pursuit of character-driven athletics. Schools scoring a minimum of 60 out of 100 points earn the Five-Star Institution Award. Based on points, there are three distinction levels including gold (90-100 points), silver (75-89 points) and bronze (60-74 points).

For 2016-2017, 183 NAIA institutions earned the Five-Star Institution Award which included 66 gold level winners, 76 silver level winners and 41 bronze level winners.

"It is always a rewarding feeling to receive the Champions of Character institution honor," CSM Director of Athletics Peter Haze Haring said. "This is a standard at CSM and our student-athletes, coaches and campus community strive to embrace the five core values throughout each year."

NAIA Five-Star Conference Awards are also given in part based on the number of schools within the conference that earn the Five-Star Institution Award and this year 18 conferences – including the Great Plains Athletic Conference – earned that honor.

A total of 14 schools earned top honors with 100 points including: Dakota Wesleyan University, Eastern Oregon University, Evangel University, Grand View University, Hannibal-LaGrange University, Lindsey Wilson College, Menlo College, Midway University, Milligan College, Ohio Christian University, Pacific Union College, Southwestern College, St. Ambrose University and Thomas University.