Lions get $5,000 grant to bolster character program

The NAIA announced Monday that Buffalo Funds, in conjunction with its national sponsorship of Champions of Character, has awarded Vanguard University a $5,000 grant to assist with its campus Champions of Character Program Center.

“Vanguard University is grateful to Buffalo Funds for its commitment and support of character-driven intercollegiate athletics,” said Vanguard Athletic Director Bob Wilson. “Buffalo Funds has been a true leader in the development of the initiative. Our institution, department, administration, coaching staff and student-athletes are honored to be selected for this grant.”

Vanguard, Buffalo Funds and the NAIA share the underlying philosophy of the Champions of Character program through the core values of respect, responsibility, integrity, sportsmanship and servant leadership.

The foundation of the Champions of Character program on Vanguard’s campus is entitled Gold Pride. The fundamental premise for Gold Pride is striving to meet the university vision and mission: coming together is a beginning; working together is a progress; thinking together is success; and believing together is significance. The Lions athletic programs achieve significance when objectives are met and outcomes of success occur with the Champions of Character core values intact.

Vanguard uses the Champions of Character program as a vehicle to provide student-athletes with quality administrative direction, set expectations to pursue excellence academically and athletically while developing people of significance.

The ability to be involved as a Champions of Character Program Center has allowed Vanguard University the opportunity to have a meaningful understanding of how the five core values can be modeled for its teams, institution and community.

The Buffalo Funds grant will assist Vanguard Program Center initiatives that include: an Ethics in America Community Summit, Champions of Character coaches clinic, Champions of Character newspaper in education program, Orange County book event, Champions of Character presentations at the ACSI Convention, a Champions of Character partnership with the National Junior Basketball league, Champions of Character youth camps, and character classes for all incoming VU student-athletes.

The Lions, through various efforts, use the Champions of Character message and training models to build competitive teams that work toward a common goal. — From staff reports