NAIA Names Robert Haworth Vice President of Champions of Character

Haworth has nearly 20 years of leadership experience in the educational and athletic setting

Posted on 07.09.08

KANSAS CITY, Mo. –

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) today named Robert Haworth Vice President for Champions of Character. Haworth, who served as Superintendent of Warsaw Community Schools in Warsaw, Indiana, will assume his duties as vice president on August 1.

Haworth will direct the NAIA’s flagship program Champions of Character to a local, regional and national audience. The program is designed to instill an understanding of character values in sport and provide student-athletes, coaches and parents the training to help them know and do the right things, inside and outside the sports setting. Champions of Character is dedicated to the principle that character is a choice and that being a champion is not just about winning, but making good decisions consistently in daily life. The mission of Champions of Character is to restore character values and raise a generation of students who understand and demonstrate in everyday decisions respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership and sportsmanship.

“Rob is a demonstrated leader who has impacted the lives of students, coaches and parents for nearly 20 years as a teacher, coach and administrator. As a professional and student of education leadership I am confident Rob will be successful as he directs and grows the Champions of Character program,” said Jim Carr, NAIA President and CEO. “Rob is a wonderful resource and advocate for character-driven athletics and will work closely with communities and member institutions throughout the country. I welcome Rob to the NAIA national office and look forward to his work with Champions of Character.”

Haworth is a dynamic athletic administrator and educational leader with experience in service and transformational leadership, logistical management, character development, team building, teaching and coaching. A proven administrator and public speaker, Haworth is passionate about the student-athlete experience and how it impacts an individual’s moral, social and physical development.

“I am excited to be joining the NAIA team and eager to begin the task of building upon the standards of excellence established by those that have been a part of this highly successful program,” said Haworth.  

Haworth holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Studies Education from Greenville (Ill.) College, a Master of Education from Indiana State University Southeast and a Doctor of Philosophy from Indiana State University. In his doctoral studies, Haworth focused on the role of interscholastic athletics and the differences in moral and social character between high school athletes and non-athletes. At the NAIA, Haworth will continue to communicate the value of athletic competition and foster relationships between education institutions and communities the NAIA serves. He will organize and grow the program’s reach through presentations and character education.

Haworth is active in many organizations that include the National Federation High School Coaches Association and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. His interest in this opportunity matches the direction of the Association and its commitment to further enhance the entire NAIA experience.

About the NAIA
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, is the governing body for athletics programs at its nearly 300 colleges and universities throughout the United States and Canada. The long-held mission of the NAIA is to promote the education and development of well-rounded students and productive citizens through intercollegiate athletics. The Association offers equitable access and opportunities for participation in its 23 national championship events held annually throughout the country.

Today, the NAIA strengthens its commitment to student-athletes and strives to enrich their college experience by supporting academic achievement and character development. NAIA Champions of Character is the association’s innovative flagship program designed to instill character values in student-athletes, coaches and youth in the communities it serves. To learn more visit www.NAIA.org.