SEWARD, Neb. – Concordia University, Nebraska has been named a Champions of Character Five-Star Award winner for the 2019-20 academic year, as announced by the NAIA on Wednesday (Sept. 9). With perfect score of 100, the Bulldogs earned status as a “Gold” institution. Concordia is one of 68 NAIA institutions to garner a perfect score on the Champions of Character measure.
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.
The 2019-20 season was a fine one for Concordia Athletics in spite of the shortened spring competition schedules due to COVID-19. A department led by GPAC Athletic Director of the Year Devin Smith accomplished the following:
· More than 200 NAIA Scholar-Athletes (not officially announced). NAIA Scholar-Athletes and Scholar-Teams will be announced on Sept. 15.
· Seven GPAC Championships: women’s cross country, wrestling regular season and postseason, women’s basketball regular season and postseason, men’s basketball postseason and women’s indoor track and field.
· Final national rankings for seven fall/winter sports teams: women’s basketball (No. 1 when season ended), women’s indoor track and field (placed fourth in NAIA), women’s cross country (placed 12th in NAIA), volleyball (ranked No. 14 in postseason poll), wrestling (placed 15th in NAIA), men’s indoor track and field (placed 17th in NAIA) and men’s basketball (receiving votes).
For more on the NAIA Champions of Character program, please visit: https://www.naia.org/champions-of-character/index.