March 10, 2026
MADISON, S.D. – the 2025-26 Frontier Conference Men's Basketball Champions of Character, presented by
WinWon Technologies, were announced Tuesday. The eight qualifying teams, including Dakota State (S.D.) at the conference postseason tournament were honored prior to their quarterfinals contest on Feb. 27-28 at Butte Civic Center in Butte, Mont.
The head coach from each Frontier Conference member selects the recipient that fits to the NAIA's Champions of Character initiative program's five cores that include integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership.
The mission of the NAIA's Champions of Character program is to provide training to instill the values that build character so that students, coaches, and parents know, do, and value the right thing on and off the field.
The Champions of Character helps participants find balance by keeping the five core values – integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership – at the heart of the athletics experience. In the NAIA, we strive to be The Right Way to Play!
Junior guard
Brayden Pankonen was selected as DSU's recipient to the inaugural Frontier Conference Champions of Character award. It was his second straight year that he had received the Champions of Character honor (last season with the North Star Athletic Association). He was recognized prior to the quarterfinal contest versus Carroll (Mont.) on Feb. 28 in Butte, Mont.
"Brayden is our hardest worker, most dedicated student-athlete and is always about doing the right thing when no one is looking," said head coach
Kevin Williamson. "He is an elite teammate and a servant leader within Madison and on our campus. Brayden exemplifies the NAIA's Champion of Character model."
Dakota State concluded their 2025-26 season with an overall record of 18-10 and 13-9 Frontier Conference record. The Trojans produced the most wins since the 2015-16 season and most conference wins in a single season.
DSU's 18 wins tied for sixth most single-season wins with the 2011-12 squad.
