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Student-athletes chosen to participate in 2009-2010 American Red Cross/NAIA Youth Leadership Program
Thirteen students head to D.C. in June to kick off the program
For Immediate Release:
Date: Thursday, February 26, 2009
American Red Cross, National Headquarters, 2025 E Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006
NAIA, National Headquarters, 1200 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64106
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Thirteen student-athletes have been selected to represent the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) in a partnership with the American Red Cross. The 2009-2010 Red Cross/NAIA Youth Leadership Program is now in its third year, and will inspire, motivate and create a new and diverse generation of Red Cross volunteers and leaders through exemplifying the five core values of the NAIA Champions of Character program.
As part of its support of the Red Cross diversity initiatives, State Farm Insurance is sponsoring this partnership. The leadership program kicks off with two weeks of energetic training at Red Cross National Headquarters located in Washington, D.C. from June 8 to June 19. The 2009-10 class will participate in a rare and unique opportunity to acquire first-hand coaching, mentoring and professional leadership training presented by senior leadership at the Red Cross, one of the nation’s largest non-profit organizations. In addition, Jim Carr, NAIA President and CEO, and Rob Haworth, NAIA Vice President for Champions of Character, will meet with the students during the two week leadership academy.
"Athletics plays such an important role in creating a sense of community on college campuses. The partnership with the NAIA has created a rich opportunity to connect campus communities with the life saving mission of the American Red Cross through the energy of NAIA student-athletes,” said Brian Hamil, Red Cross National Chair Biomedical Services. “As we enter our third year of the program, we remain grateful for the continuing financial support of State Farm Insurance."
“I would like to thank the Red Cross and State Farm Insurance for providing a wonderful opportunity for NAIA student-athletes. This is the third year for the program and Brian Hamil and his team are not only great partners but tremendous advocates for character-driven intercollegiate athletics,” said Carr. “The work being done on campuses throughout the country as a result of this program not only saves lives but has a huge impact on these young men and women.”
This once-in-a-lifetime experience allows NAIA student-athletes to be a part of a team made up of young adults from NAIA campuses throughout the country. The program is part of a larger Red Cross diversity strategy for moving the American Red Cross from awareness to action, building Red Cross capacity to serve all Americans.
Student-athletes will learn from civic and business leaders in the field how to uncover their leadership potential off the field. The participants will learn about organizing successful campus blood drives, actively participate on a leadership board, and take part in diversity and cultural competency training. For their efforts, students will receive scholarship support provided by the American Red Cross and State Farm Insurance.
The 2009-2010 Red Cross/NAIA Youth Leadership Program participants are:
Elizabeth Gilgenbach (Cardinal Stritch University, Wisc.); Michael Thompson (Trinity Christian College, Ill.); Angela Nelson (Point Park University, Pa.); Carlie Ainsworth (Auburn University Montgomery); Zachary Ripley (Cornerstone University, Mich.); Je’Von Hetland (Azusa Pacific University, Calif.); Danielle Boyle (Iowa Wesleyan College); Kenneth “Casey” Wieder (Ottawa University, Kan.); Melissa King (College of Saint Mary, Neb.); Victoria Anderson (Point Loma Nazarene University, Calif.); Tara Blair (Bethel College, Ind.); Kimberly Lindow (Concordia University, Ore.); Katie McLintock (Westminster College, Utah).
To learn more about the Red Cross/NAIA Youth Leadership Program, please contact Staci Schottman (NAIA) at sschottman@naia.org, Kathy Busch (NAIA) at kbusch@naia.org or Susan Nelson (Red Cross Biomedical Services) at nelsons@usa.redross.org.
CLICK HERE to learn more about the program and partnership.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Last year, almost a million volunteers and 35,000 employees helped victims of almost 75,000 disasters; taught lifesaving skills to millions; and helped U.S. service members separated from their families stay connected. Almost 4 million people gave blood through the Red Cross, the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States. The American Red Cross is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work. To learn more visit www.redcross.org.
About the NAIA
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, 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. To learn more visit www.NAIA.org.
For Immediate Release:
Date: Monday, August 27, 2007
Contact: Staci Schottman, NAIA Director of Public Relations and Communications, 816-595-8116
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Buffalo Funds Awards Champions of Character Program Center Grant to Cornerstone University
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced today that Buffalo Funds, in conjunction with its national sponsorship of Champions of Character, has awarded Cornerstone University (Mich.) a grant to assist with its campus Champions of Character Program Center.
“This grant is a reflection of John Kornitzer’s (Buffalo Funds President and Portfolio Manager) commitment to character driven intercollegiate athletics. The Champions of Character program has given our student-athletes, coaches and community the training and skill sets to build successful teams. The rewards surpass the sports realm and as an institution we recognize that,” said Cornerstone Champions of Character Director Mike Riemersma. “Cornerstone University is committed to intentionally teaching character and we are honored to be a recipient of this grant.”
At Cornerstone University and within the Golden Eagles athletics department excellence is not an option, it is an expectation. The faculty and staff work to create an environment in which every student-athlete, coach, official and spectator is committed to the true spirit of competition through respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership and sportsmanship.
Cornerstone puts into action a variety of methods to activate Champions of Character messages and training models on campus and throughout the community. One way for the Eagles to achieve this is by partnering with the YMCA, Ottawa-Kent (O-K) Conference, Michigan High School Athletic Association, West Michigan Whitecaps, Grand Rapids Griffins and Grand Rapids Rampage. Cornerstone alone provides character education to the O-K Conference reaching 44 Michigan high schools, over 10,000 student-athletes, coaches and parents each year.
The Program Center, housed inside the Bernice Hansen Athletic Center, is home to numerous character workshops, sports camps and presentations. Each year Riemersma identifies student-athletes to participate in the “Noble Eagles” program. The program pairs college athletes with youth organizations who then work together to teach area youth the Champions of Character core values. Each fall a Champions of Character Town Hall Meeting is conducted for more than 500 high school athletic directors, coaches, administrators, student-athletes and parents. The event includes a panel discussion with representatives from Cornerstone University, the NAIA and the Michigan High School Athletics Association.
“Champions of Character is embedded in the culture at Cornerstone University,” said NAIA Director of Champions of Character Initiatives Rob Miller. “The Buffalo Funds grant will work to further the program’s mission and impact in and out of the sports setting. With the foundation already set and character education in full swing this is a tremendous opportunity for Cornerstone to reach a larger audience.”
To learn more about the NAIA, Program Center locations and events visit www.championsofcharacter.org. To learn more about Buffalo Funds log onto www.buffalofunds.com. Information on about Cornerstone University can be found at www.cornerstone.edu.
Strawser Wins Inaugural WHAC Coach of Character Award!
On Monday, October 23, 2006 the WHAC women's soccer awards were released. Golden Eagles head coach Randy Strawser was named the conference Coach of the Year after guiding his team to the league title and an undefeated season. At 15-0-2 and 10-0-2 in conference play, Strawser’s squad is the top-seed heading into the league tournament this week.
Strawser was also recognized by his peers as the WHAC Coach of Character. In the first season of the award, it is presented to the coach who best expemplifies the five core values of the NAIA Champions of Character Initiative; respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership and sportsmanship.
In related news senior Carolyn Walton was selected to the Champions of Character Team. One representative from each institution comprise the Champions of Character Team.
Congratulations to coach Strawser and Carolyn for their accomplishments and representing what Cornerstone athletics is all about!
