Vanguard University’s intercollegiate athletic program has been building character in its student-athletes as a proud member of the NAIA’s Champions of Character initiative since 2000. Vanguard was named a Champion of Character Program Center in 2001 and has received awards in 16 of the last 17 years. Champions of Character is an initiative that aims to change the culture of sport by incorporating the first two commandments, along with implementing the five core values of respect, integrity, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership.
Vanguard Athletics takes it a step further and instituted a one semester course for all new student-athletes where they are trained in what Gold Pride is and what it means to be a Lion. Created by Bob Wilson, former Director of Athletics, the 15-week course introduces new athletes to the culture of Vanguard Athletics and begins the progress of created athletes who are changing the world through their sport. Presented as “The Ripple Effect” we believe:
One student-athlete with Christian character can improve a team,
One team with Christian character can improve an athletic program,
One Athletic Program with Christian character can impact a community.
The culture of the Vanguard University Athletic Program does more than lead with values; it seeks to bring those values alive for our student athletes and athletic staff. The Gold Pride core values are the standards– the rules of the road- that hold us accountable to each other. The development of these standards needs to be intentionally formulated and articulated well so that the expectations of choices and behaviors is defined for what is important. These standards tell us how to treat other people, both inside and outside the team or community.
Additionally, each year the NAIA presents accolades to teams across the nation for each sport. In all, 16 Vanguard teams have been awarded the NAIA Buffalo Funds Champion of Character Team award since the programs' inception. Three members of the Vanguard family have been voted NAIA Coach of Character during their tenure: Russ Davis (women’s basketball), Bryan Wilkins (cross country and track & field), and Mattias Johansson (men’s and women’s tennis).
FROM THE SIDELINE – TO THE SIDEWALK – TO SIGNIFICANCE
