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William Woods University (Mo .) Softball Program Receives Buffalo Funds Five Star Award
Coaches and student-athletes recognized for exhibiting exceptional character values
Posted 5.30.07
For a complete list of 2006-07 award recipients click here.
OLATHE, Kan. –The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and Champions of Character founding partner Buffalo Funds present Buffalo Funds Five Star Awards for each of the NAIA’s 23 championship sports. The William Woods University softball program was recently awarded the Buffalo Funds Five Star Award for its  dedication and implementation of the Champions of Character program’s five core values: respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership and sportsmanship. The Owls, who compete in the American Midwest Conference, are led by head coach Tracy Gastineau.
”Character is vital for our team’s success in so many ways. With character, the young ladies on our team have a common denominator that brings them together and helps them stick together which makes up our team chemistry,” said Gastineau. “They have a common purpose with common goals – to out-work, out-class and out-play our opponents each day. This chemistry has allowed our team to play within themselves and even overachieve, playing for their teammates, coaches and the sport.”
In the Owls pre-practice and post-game character discussions, the team often uses “teaching moments” from game experiences to learn more about the role sportsmanship plays in competition. The softball team is just as competitive in the classroom and responsible for individual academic success. Thirteen of the fifteen players held above a 3.0 cumulative grade point average, with five players named Region Scholar-Athletes and NAIA Scholar-Athletes.
“We want to be known as a team with integrity and sportsmanship. We want to be a team that’s accountable for our actions, trustworthy and hard working. Win or lose, we will be better people and better off in life,” said catcher Mandy Henke. “Our team has faced adversity but it’s our character and our integrity that gets us through.”
The William Woods Owls are part of the community dedicated to intentionally teaching character in and out of sport. To learn more visit www.williamwoods.edu.
NAIA
A leader in the development of student-athletes, the NAIA is committed to changing the culture of sport through Champions of Character. Founded in 1937, the NAIA continues to be a pioneer in implementing exceptional standards for academics, diversity, and character. Today, the NAIA sponsors 23 collegiate championships in 13 sports for its nearly 300 member institutions throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more about the NAIA visit www.naia.org.
Buffalo Funds
Buffalo Funds is the Official Sponsor of the Champions of Character program. Buffalo Funds assists in the Champions of Character program growth and is the title sponsor of the NAIA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship. To learn more about Buffalo Funds visit www.buffalofunds.com.
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