Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) is proud to partner with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) to change the culture of sports. The mission of the NAIA’s Champions of Character initiative is to provide training to teach the values that build positive character traits. It is the hope of the NAIA and SAGU that students, coaches and parents know, do, and value right things on and off the field.
The Champions of Character program strives to teach participants five core values; integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership. The NAIA and SAGU want each student, athlete, and coach to keep the five core values at the heart of the athletics experience.
The NAIA Champions of Character initiative provides SAGU student-athletes and coaches another avenue to fulfill the mission of SAGU. Examples of SAGU involvement in the NAIA Champions of Character program include:
- 4,000+ community service hours logged by SAGU student-athletes in 2015-2016 academic year.
- Mentoring and tutoring at Boys & Girls Club
- A basketball camp for orphans and underprivileged children.
- A food pantry drive
- An equipment drive for the Haitian National Amputee Soccer Team.
- Participation in SAGU GameDay Challenges impacting over 6,000 elementary, junior high and high school students.
- International missions trip involvement to India, Guatemala, and Brazil.
- Volunteering at local elementary schools in before-school and after-school programs.
- Providing local children with shoebox Christmas gifts.
These examples of students and coaches living out the core values of Champions of Character enhances the mission of SAGU. Check back often for updates on our student-athlete involvement in Champions of Character.