March 17, 2006

By STACI SCHOTTMAN, NAIA Media Relations

Olathe, Kan. - The 2006 Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship serves as center stage for the NAIA Champions of Character program and provides opportunities for the NAIA to recognize student-athletes who are making a difference in their communities, changing the culture of sport and intentionally teaching and displaying character. 

In 2000, the NAIA launched a comprehensive character program that focuses on the following five core character values: respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership and sportsmanship. The NAIA conducts Champions of Character programs to all age groups across the country engaging people in the mission to change the culture of sport. At each of the NAIA's 23 national championship student-athletes are recognized for not only their accomplishments in athletics but also for the character traits they display towards their teammates, coaches, teachers and fans. 

Earlier this week at the Division I Men's Basketball Tip-Off Banquet with approximately 600 NAIA student-athletes, the following 32 individuals were recognized for being a Champion of Character: Kasey Myers (Azusa Pacific University, Calif.), Jeremy Taylor (Campbellsville University, Ky.), Kurtis Paulson (Carroll College, Mont.), Ryan Steinhoff (Columbia College, Mo.), Chris Gaither (Georgetown College, Ky.), Pablo Avila (Houston Baptist University, Texas), Brian McMillian (University of Illinois-Springfield), Brandon Cole (John Brown University, Ark.), Darius Davis (Lambuth University, Tenn.), Rob Giesey (Lee University, Tenn.), Scott Cook (Lindsey Wilson, Ky.), Greg Tyer (LSU-Shreveport), Randy Jordan (University of Moblie, Ala.), Mersad Terzic (Mountain State University, W. Va.), Bailey Jones (Oklahoma Baptist University), Dillon Ripley (Oklahoma Christian University), Trevor Meier (Oklahoma City University), Zach Birkey (Olivet Nazarene University, Ill.), Sam Jackson (Robert Morris College, Ill.), Jabari Saunders (Saint Xavier University, Ill.), Jeremy Day (San Diego Christian College, Calif.), Marc Reece (Southern Polytechnic University, Ga.), Deonta Brinston (Southern Wesleyan University, S.C.), Josh Hawley (Southwestern Assemblies of God, Texas), Krisner Green (Spring Hill College, Ala.), Albert Talley (Texas Wesleyan College), Jerod Perry (Trevecca Nazarene University, Tenn.), Rod Ross (Union University, Tenn.), Levi Seekins (Vanguard University, Calif.), Horace Cofield (Voorhees College, S.C.), Clifton Clerida (Wayland Baptist University, Texas), Jared Ruiz (Westminster College, Utah). 

In addition to the individual awards Dr. Phil and Mary Pattison, longtime NAIA supporters, presented four student-athletes with Champions of Character scholarships.

Pablo Avila from Houston Baptist, Brandon Cole from John Brown, Albert Talley from Texas Wesleyan and Greg Tyer from LSU-Shreveport were the recipients and further recognized for what each does on an individual basis in their community. Avila is a constant supporter of the all students at Houston Baptist and was recently named Athlete of the Year. Talley out of Texas works with youth at the local YMCA serving as a role model on and off the court.

To learn more about the Champions of Character program visit www.championsofcharacter.org.