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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!
