COSTA MESA – Vanguard student-athletes Aaron Zubiate and Alyssa Fong were honored on Sunday at the Cliff Hamlow Champions of Character Award Banquet, bestowed upon one male and one female from each Golden State Athletic Conference member.

The 16 student-athletes receiving the award demonstrated outstanding athletic achievement, campus and community leadership and future ambition while embracing the fire core character values of the NAIA Champions of Character program – Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Sportsmanship and Servant Leadership.

Student-athletes must be at least a junior academically and carry a 3.0 GPA. The award is named after former Commissioner Cliff Hamlow who served the conference from its inception in 1986 to 2012. Dr. Hamlow was also a key leader in the creation of the NAIA's Champions of Character program.
 

AARON ZUBIATE – BASEBALL

Aaron Zubiate, a native of Alta Loma, California, is a graduate student on the baseball team at Vanguard University.

He exemplifies the meaning of servant leader through his involvement in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes club at Vanguard called "The Trust." His work with FCA also led him to serve for two summers with the Shepherds, in which an internship allowed him to put on a youth baseball camp for over 800 kids ages 6-12. Aaron was blessed to work alongside fellow college-aged interns, learning that 224 camp attendees had decided to follow Jesus for the first time as a result of hearing the Gospel.

Aaron also served as a Lion Leader in the fall of 2021 and 2022, mentoring first-year student-athletes at VU.

"Aaron Zubiate is a tremendous example of a high character student-athlete," said Baseball Head Coach Rob Pegg. "He's a person every coach and teammate wants to have on their team. His character is a result of his love and relationship with Jesus the Christ. When meeting about his goals and desire for the year, he said his greatest desire is to be at the feet of Jesus in serving his team. He leads by example and his actions are consistent everyday."

Receiving his undergraduate degree in May 2023 in History/Political Science, he maintained a 3.92 GPA which enabled him to be inducted into the Delta Kappa Honors Society and the Phi Alpha Theta Honors Society, In addition, he was humbled and honored to receive the Phi Alpha Theta Award for the highest GPA in his department. Aaron is also a repeat honoree for both GSAC and NAIA Scholar-Athlete accolades.

He also has held several on-campus jobs, including events staff, weight room attendant, and academic success coach.

Finally, Aaron received the prestigious Bob and Tammy Wilson Character award in the spring of 2023.

Aaron is currently enrolled in the Graduate Education program at Vanguard, where he will obtain his teaching credential by December 2024. He hopes to become an 11th grade high school History teacher after pursuing his Masters in Education.

"This is truly a testament to God's faithfulness, unconditional love, and unmerited grace in my life," said Zubiate. "All glory to Him."

ALYSSA FONG – WOMEN'S SOCCER

Alyssa Fong, from Rescue, Calif., is a graduate student midfielder on the women's soccer team at Vanguard University.

Alyssa is an example of someone who pours her heart into Christ, which gives her meaning in exhibiting the NAIA core character values through community and campus contributions.  For the past two years, Alyssa and her team have volunteered at High-5 Friday at Rea Elementary School in Costa Mesa, greeting and cheering on the kids as they entered the school.

She also helped run a kid's soccer clinic at Vanguard, overseeing a station where she taught the participants how to dribble. In addition, she volunteered at the Live 2 Free Fashion Show, which raises awareness about slave labor in the fashion industry.

Her campus involvement has run the gamut from working sporting events to assist the athletic department and being a part of the SALT Committee, which represents the athletic teams.

"Alyssa truly embodies each of the NCAA Champions of Character core values day in and day out," said women's soccer teammate Takara Kiesel. "She has accomplished so much and deservedly received many accolades, but what myself and others love about her most is how she seeks God's heart daily."

As a captain on the women's soccer team, Alyssa's leadership put her in position to become a Lion leader for the past two years, giving her a platform to introduce and teach Vanguard's Character values to the school's incoming student-athletes. The experience enabled her to learn more about them and their identity in Christ, going beyond the sport they compete in.

Alyssa's thirst to strengthen her relationship with the Lord opened up an opportunity this past summer to go with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) to Israel, giving her a new lens with which to see the Bible. It helped her become a better leader, friend, daughter, and teammate.

"Alyssa wonderfully embodies the Champions of Character core values on and off the field," said VU women's soccer head coach Emily Reynolds. "As our team captain, she leads by example. Her positive attitude and relentless work ethic are contagious. The younger players look up to her as someone they aim to be like. She often shares with us what's on her mind and heart, and her words help bring God's light into our team." 

A GSAC and NAIA Scholar-Athlete recipient, Alyssa maintained a 4.0 GPA through her entire undergraduate academic career as she earned her BA in Business Administration in December 2023. She is now pursuing her graduate degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology with a future goal of helping others with consulting.