Champions of Character

Special Events

Cornerstone University to Host 2nd Annual Champions of Character Town Hall Meeting

Cornerstone University to Host Champions of Character High School All-Star Basketball Classic

WHAT: MEIJER presents the 1st Annual Champions of Character High School All-Star Basketball Classic

WHO:  Boys committed to date – Kelvin Grady, DeMarcus Grady, Justin Anyijong, Austin Thornton, Ty Tanis, Bryan Snyder, Nathan Sytsma, Marquis Turley, Bradley Whitby, Justin Townes, Dominic Allen, Justin VanderMeer, Bryce Semple, Bryan Pasciak, Eric Kooistra, Jerrell Sanders, Carl Thompson, Joe Wasnich, AJ Schmidt, Mike Sutton
           Girls committed to date – Carrie Snikkers, Amber Soodsma, Erika Bruinsma, Kat Laprairie, Vicki VanDyke, Britanny Buche, Brittany Lyman, Kelsey Crowley, Jillian Bowman, Brooke Carter, Krista Vink, Kari VanderSchaaf, Kendra Potgeter, Alicia TerHaar, Abby Phillips, Ashleigh Lund, Jerquila Harvey, Kristi Kurth

WHEN: Friday, June 22, 2007
  OK-East H.S. Stars vs. OK-West H.S. Stars (+GR City League)
  Girls Game – 5:30 pm
  Boys Game – 7:30pm
  Cornerstone University Bernice Hansen Mol Arena (Capacity 2800)

PRICE: General Admission - $5.00 minimum donation/game

BENEFIT: Net proceeds will go to the Cornerstone University Champions of Character Program Center. Goal is to raise $7,500-$10,000. 501-c-3 non-profit

SPONSORS: Presenting Sponsors – Meijer, VanderWeide Family Foundation
Corporate Sponsors – Compass Point Staffing, J & H Family Stores, Ramada Plaza, O’Charley’s Restaurant, Van Andel & Flikkema Chrysler Jeep
Media Sponsors – WBBL 1340AM, WXMI Fox TV 17

CONTACTS: Steve Project - Director (616) 262-7369 or steveproject@hotmail.com
                  Mike Riemersma, Champions of Character, (616) 540-1048
                  Scott Vogel, Pro-Am Challenge, (616) 915-7277

Champions of Character Town Hall Meeting a Big Success!

On Monday, October 2, 2006 more than 500 high school athletic directors, coaches, administrators, athletes and parents attended the first ever Champions of Character Town Hall Meeting. This year’s theme was Youth Sports: Out of Control?

The featured speakers for the evening were Rick Mahorn, radio analyst and former Detroit Piston; Rob Miller, NAIA Director of Character Initiatives; Jack Roberts, MHSAA Executive Director and Jim Haskins, O-K Conference Commissioner. Mike Riemersma, CU Champions of Character Director; Dave Grube, CU Athletics Director and Dr. Rex M. Rogers, CU President also commented on the program and Cornerstone’s commitment to it. Bret Bakita, radio host of On the Bench on 1340AM was the emcee and moderator for the evening which ran from 6:30-8:30pm

Mike Riemersma explained why he wanted the town hall type of format for this event. “It was important to me to not only explain the program and our involvement with it but to also give the attendees a chance to ask questions. People want to know what you are going to do, not just what you know.”

When asked about his thoughts on the event Riemersma commented: “This was a great springboard for us to publicly launch the program. By having Rick, Jack and Jim all speak at the same venue and demonstrate their support of the Champions of Character program and shows the importance, validity and even the commitment of CU toward changing the culture of sport. We want to make this an annual fall “kick-off” event where our community can come together to talk about the issues we are facing today”.

The NAIA developed the Champions of Character program in response to the growing problem of deteriorating standards of integrity in sports and society. At a time when all of sport has experienced increasingly negative behavior by athletes, coaches, fans and parents, NAIA Champions of Character raises the standards for positive youth development in athletics and academics.

Local Champions of Character partners include: Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL-American Hockey League); Grand Rapids Rampage (AFL-Arena Football League); West Michigan White Caps (Class A affiliate of Detroit Tigers); and the 44 high schools in the O-K Conference.

Check back frequently to stay up to-date-on the latest Cornerstone University Champions of Character news.

Character Still Vital to Youth, Athletics - The Grand Rapids Press (10.07.06)