The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and Champions of Character founding partner Buffalo Funds present Buffalo Funds Five Star Champions of Character Team Awards for each of the NAIA’s 23 championship sports. Teams that receive this prestigious award demonstrate in every day decisions respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership and sportsmanship. These institutions and athletic programs strive for excellence in and out of competition and are part of communities throughout the country dedicated to character-driven intercollegiate athletics.

The following teams were recognized during the 2009-10 sports season.

2009-2010 Buffalo Funds Five Star Champions of Character Team Award Winners:

Men's Cross Country: Mount Mercy College

Women's Cross Country: Mount Mercy College
Football: Bethany University

Men's Soccer: Benedictine College

Women's Soccer:  Indiana Wesleyan University

Volleyball: William Woods University

Men's DI Basketball: Southern Polytechnic State University

Women's DI Basketball: Campbellsville University

Men's DII Basketball: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Women's DII Basketball: Jamestown College
Men's Swimming & Diving: Concordia University (CA)
Women's Swimming & Diving: Brenau University
Men's Indoor Track & Field: Vanguard University

Women's Indoor Track & Field: St. Xavier University
Wrestling: Morningside College
Baseball: Shorter University

Men's Golf: Johnson and Wales University (FL)
Women's Golf: McKendree University
Softball: William Woods University
Men's Tennis: Graceland University

Women's Tennis: Cedarville University
Men's Outdoor Track & Field: Simon Fraser University
Women's Outdoor Track & Field: Simon Fraser University