Vanguard University senior Kelly Schmidt was named the recipient of the Dr. LeRoy Walter Champions of Character Award.

The Champions of Character is a program designed to "promote character development in youth and change the culture of sport."

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 abhorrent behavior by athletes, coaches, fans and parents, NAIA Champions of Character raises the standards for positive youth development in athletics and academics.

Coaches are trained in this program go out in to their communites to speak on five core values, and it's caught the attention of the WBCA and the Big East. It's also inspired other groups to create similar programs, such as "Beyond the Scoreboard" in Michgan.