The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) national office announced last week that Goshen College is one of the 180 NAIA Champions of Character Five-Star Institutions for the 2018-19 academic year. 

Goshen is one of only 14 schools to have achieved the award every year since its establishment in 2002. The only other Crossroads League institution to do so is Taylor University in Upland, Indiana.

The program was introduced with the vision of changing the culture of sport and was formerly known as Champions of Character, until 2010 when the title of ‘Five-Star’ was added. It’s mission, according to the NAIA website 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 NAIA states, “Institutions are measured on a demonstrated commitment to Champions of Character and earned 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.”

Institutions points are tallied up with a minimum of 60 points to be recognized for the award. Goshen surpassed this number to fall within the Bronze category, along with fellow Crossroads League institutions, Taylor and Marian University. 

“As with all department awards, this one is really about our student-athletes and coaches,” said Harold Watson, director of athletics. “They put in the hard work and dedication to keep this tremendous streak alive. I could not be more proud of the work they do in three important facets: in the classroom, in their respective sports and in the community.”

Along with the individual success, Goshen also excelled as a part of the Crossroads League, which was recognized as a Champions of Character Five-Star Conference, along with 16 others. 

Goshen will continue to work towards ensuring its name on the list for the next academic year, which would make it the 18th year in a row.