Vanguard University's Champions of Character clinic a success

VUSC Program Center hosts nearly 80 coaches and athletes at character clinic

Posted on 09.10.07
Submitted by Beth Renkoski, Sports Information Department, 714-556-3610

Costa Mesa, Calif. – The subject matter and cost already set the tone for a successful day, but Vanguard University’s first Champions of Character Clinic was a true success because of the attendees and the presenters.  Nearly 80 people, including coaches, athletes, and a few parents from high schools, club teams, and junior high schools, were present to hear NAIA National Presenter Bruce Brown, Passkeys Foundation President Russ Williams, and Vanguard’s own Athletic Director Bob Wilson, deliver information on teaching personal character through the platform of sport.  The free clinic was made possible by VU Champions of Character Program Center sponsors, Buffalo Funds, New Balance, Passkeys Foundation, and event sponsors Freedom Printing, Quad Graphics and si3d (Sports Instruction in Three Dimensions: Identity, Intensity, Integrity).

Vanguard’s Program Center, a part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Champions of Character initiative, uses the five core values of respect, responsibility, integrity, sportsmanship, and servant leadership, to teach character through athletics in an effort to change the culture of sport in today’s world.

Brown kicked off the event with a 45-minute presentation to the entire group, titled “Redefining The Term Athlete.”  Delivering a motivational and challenging message, Brown verbally delivered a visual of what the five core values look like on a true athlete and how to identify and correct character flaws.

The next part of the clinic was a breakout session where athletes listened to Wilson and former VU athletes on how to develop discipline and become a leader of character.  The coaches learned about changing attitudes and the power of a coach’s words from Brown, a multi-sport, multi-level coach of more than 30 years.

Following a short break, Williams, a strong promoter of teaching children character and ethics in business through the Passkeys Foundation, educated the group on how to implement character education. Free materials were provided for attendees, who later met in groups to discuss how they could put the instructions into action within their own programs.

Organizations with representatives at the event included high schools like Edison, Newport Harbor, Foothill, Redondo Union, Capo Valley Christian, Calvary Chapel, San Clemente, Woodbridge, Godinez, JSerra, and Eldorado. Sycamore Junior High School, Parras Middle School, Swish basketball and the YMCA were also in attendance.

Godinez High School, a newly opened institution in Santa Ana, sent multiple representatives including boys’ Athletic Director Craig Miller and girls’ Athletic Director Lisa Treen. Treen, also the volleyball coach, is excited about bringing the information back to a new school where the current student-athletes have the chance to build their own traditions. “It’s all been positive,” she said. “I wish we would have brought more coaches and athletes. It’s been great because our kids will be setting the standards for our future.”

The closing presentation was another joint session where Brown instructed what steps the coaches and team leaders need to take to develop teams of character. Brown, a dynamic and inspirational speaker, left the entire room of people with an itch to call an immediate team meeting and put the lessons into action.

“The program offered inspiration, education, tools, and the irritant of hopeful possibilities,” commented Williams after the event. “Bruce Brown is a gem of a communicator. His clarity is powerful. As President of Passkeys Foundation, I am pleased to have involved the foundation in this program collaboration including New Balance, Freedom Printing, si3d, and Quad Graphics.”

New Balance representative George Birdsong was “excited to see how the theme of character can be taught and executed.” New Balance, a private company who encourages social responsibility, became a Champions of Character Program Center sponsor last year and today was Birdsong’s first chance to be present at a Program Center event.  “The theme of today is very similar to what the owner of New Balance endorses and supports,” he says. “What is more important than trying to improve our culture,” he asks.  “Also, I am really excited because these are life lessons that I can take back to my group.  Vanguard is stepping up to do the right thing.”

Other event sponsors were also on hand for the event, as well as nearly the entire Vanguard Athletic Department staff and coaches. Dan Porrino, Sales Associate for Quad Graphics and Founder of si3d, expressed how his passion for youth sports resulted in his company’s involvement in the event. “Bruce, Russ, and Bob were equipping today,” Porrino said. “The power of equipping others to carry forward a vision is significant because without application, a vision is just a picture in the sky.” Porrino hopes to take the information he received today into his active role within youth sports organizations.  He sees great value in reaching fifth to eighth grade students who are still moldable and have teachable moments on a daily basis.

Vanguard is beginning its third year as an NAIA Program Center and hopes that the Champions of Character Clinic will grow into an even bigger annual event in the future.  Less than a month ago the university received its second Buffalo Funds Grant (the official NAIA Champions of Character program sponsor), which is another key component to keeping the Program Center in action.  USC would like to thank all of their Program Center and Event Sponsors for their support in making the first Champions of Character clinic a very successful event.

-NAIA-

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) 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.