The University of the Cumberlands (UC) takes pride in knowing that its athletics teams do what it takes to be successful on the field as well as in the classroom. The Patriots have abided by the NAIA Champions of Character program that pushes the five core values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership.  This year, the University of the Cumberlands along with 80% of the members of the NAIA received enough points on the Champions of Character Scorecard to earn a five star award. 

The Champions of Character Scorecard measures each institution's commitment to the NAIA Champions of Character program. Points are earned in five key areas: character training, conduct in competition, academic focus, character recognition and character promotion.  This year 221 NAIA institutions were named Champions of Character Five-Star Institutions and six NAIA conferences had all of their members earn the Five-Star designation.  To receive the award members scored 60 or more points of the NAIA Champions of Character Scorecard and conferences named to the list had at least 60% of its member schools making the grade with 60 or more points.  Institutions earned points based on exceptional student-athlete grade point averages and by obtaining zero ejections during competition throughout the course of the academic year.

Five Star Award recipients will be recognized on the NAIA Champions of Character website, and receive a special web banner and certificate noting the honor.  Presidents, athletic directors and conference commissioners at award winning colleges, universities or conferences also will be recognized at the 72^nd Annual NAIA National Convention in April.

Cumberlands Athletic Director Randy Vernon commented, ""We are very happy to have been named a Champions of Character institution for 12 straight years.  Our goal is to educate our student-athletes on the five core values of the Champions of Character program in hopes that each student-athlete will improve themselves as individuals each day.  While this is a continuing process, I can see a difference in how our student-athletes conduct themselves as we strive to become better at everything we do."

For more information on UC Patriot athletics, please visit www.cumberlandspatriots.com.