Houghton (N.Y.) given grant to Champion Character

Posted 10.17.08
Story from the Wellsville Daily Reporter (Wellsville, N.Y.)

Houghton College has received a $5,000 grant from Buffalo Funds in conjunction with its sponsorship of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics’ (NAIA) Champions of Character program. Houghton is one of two Champions of Character Program Centers to receive a grant this year.

“Houghton College is to be congratulated for its pledge to provide character-driven intercollegiate athletic opportunities,” said Rob Haworth, NAIA Vice President of Champions of Character. Haworth presented a check to Sharra Hynes, Houghton College vice president for student life, and H. “Skip” Lord, Houghton’s director of athletics, at halftime of a recent Highlander men’s soccer game.

“We are honored to receive this grant and to be part of the efforts being led by the Kornitzer family and the NAIA to change the culture of sport,” said Lord. John C. Kornitzer founded Kornitzer Capital Management (KCM), a full service investment management firm, in 1989. KCM runs the Buffalo Funds, which sponsors the Champions of Character program though the NAIA.

With the grant, Houghton plans to expand its “Blowing the Whistle on Character Education” program, which looks at the role of officiating in sports and its impact on things like fan behavior, crowd control, sportsmanship and the future of sport in our society. Lord has presented this program to officials, coaches and athletes at all levels, from elementary youth and summer campers all the way up to the NCAA Division I women’s basketball Final Four and a meeting of the women’s basketball coaches of the Big East Conference.

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