Montana Western Athletics Named NAIA Champions Of Character Five-Star Gold Winner

Lindsey Branch, UMW Sports Information

DILLON, Mont. - The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced its Champions of Character® Five-Star Gold Award winners. The University of Montana Western was named as a Gold Level Champion of Character for the 2023-24 school year.

"This is a testament to our student-athletes, coaches, and staff for their hard work and making this a priority. We strive to be champions on and off the field and this recognition shows that. " Director of Athletics Michael Feuling said.

Institutions are measured on a demonstrated commitment to Champions of Character and earn points in character training, conduct in competition, academic focus, character recognition and character promotion. Institutions earned points based on exceptional student-athlete grade point averages and by having minimal to no ejections during competition throughout the course of the academic year.

The Champions of Character® Scorecard holds 100 possible points to be earned, measures growth in training, promotion, conduct in competition and commitment in five key areas. To be a gold standard school you must score 90 points or more. 

All six of the full-time Frontier member institutions received Five-Star distinction, which also makes the Frontier a Champions of Character® Five-Star Conference (with 60% or more schools at Five-Star status).