Briar Cliff University is committed to being one of the NAIA's Champions of Character Institutions. In 2002, Briar Cliff was named one of 111 Champions of Character Institutions by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
To earn recognition, an institution needed to have taken action steps in all five core character value areas (respect, integrity, responsibility, servant leadership and sportsmanship) and needed to to have self-reported its accomplished goals.
The NAIA Champions of Character Program was established to help create an environment in which every NAIA student athlete, coach, official and spectator would be committed to the true spirit of competition through respect, integrity, responsibility, servant leadership and sportsmanship. There were 224 of the NAIA's 332 institutions which took part in this non-mandatory program with 111 earning the distinction as a Champion of Character Institution.
Briar Cliff's 2008 C of C Award Winners: Female Athlete: Kayla Boyd, Emily Dvorak Male Athlete: Neil Rohe Female Student: Kristina Ruhlman Male Student: Dennis Klein Adult Fan: Chabree Batt Complete Awards List

What Does Briar Cliff Do?

All Briar Cliff athletes and coaches sign a pledge to be Champions of Character. Briar Cliff has also established a Council of Athletes which consists of one representative from each team. The Council meets throughout the school year to plan community service projects and evaluate how the program is being weaved into the campus community.

Each Briar Cliff athletic team also plans and participates in at least one community service project a year. A Champion of Character message can also be found in nearly all of Briar Cliff's summer athletic camps. BCU reminds all fans of its commitment to the Champions of Character Program with pre-game messages.