July 31, 2024

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Dakota State (S.D.) was one of the 209 member institutions that were named Champions of Character® Five-Star winners for the 2023-24 academic season, announced by the NAIA national office Wednesday morning.  It was the second straight season that the Trojans earned the 'Silver' level of the Champions of Character initiative program.

Dakota State had been named the NAIA's Champions of Character institution award winner for more than 10 consecutive years.

Institutions are measured on a demonstrated commitment to Champions of Character and earn points in character training, conduct in competition, academic focus, character recognition, and character promotion.  Institutions earned points based on exceptional student-athlete grade point averages and by having minimal to no ejections during competitions throughout the course of the academic year.

The NAIA Champions of Character Scorecard measures growth in training, promotion, conduct in competition and commitment in five key areas – integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership.

The North Star Athletic Association, DSU's conference, was also named a Champions of Character Five-Star conference.  The criteria for the Five-Star conference award includes establishing Champions of Character Conference Committee, conference has a conduct in competition oversight committee composed of minimum of three members, and at least 50 percent of members institutions must receive the NAIA Champions of Character Five-Star Institution Award.