The University of Saint Mary is proud to be an NAIA Champions of Character Five-Star Institution, earning the distinction every year since the program's inception in 2010.

The NAIA Champions of Character program promotes character-driven athletics by emphasizing five core values: Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Sportsmanship, and Servant Leadership. At Saint Mary, these values are intentionally woven into the student-athlete experience, helping students develop as competitors, scholars, leaders, and citizens.

How Saint Mary Brings the Core Values to Life

Integrity

Student-athletes commit to honesty, accountability, and ethical decision-making through team handbooks, coach-led discussions, and ongoing mentorship. Coaches reinforce the importance of integrity in academics, athletics, and personal conduct throughout the year.

Respect

Respect is a cornerstone of the Saint Mary experience. Student-athletes participate in weekly discussions about treating others with dignity and valuing diverse perspectives. Many also serve as mentors through the university's first-generation student support initiatives.

Responsibility

Saint Mary student-athletes learn responsibility through leadership and service opportunities. Projects such as food and toiletry drives for local charities and leadership roles in community and faith-based programs help students develop accountability and a commitment to serving others.

Sportsmanship

The university promotes positive competition through education, reflection, and community engagement. Coaches and student-athletes discuss real-world competition scenarios to reinforce respect for teammates, opponents, officials, and the rules of the game.

Servant Leadership

Student-athletes regularly participate in mentoring programs, community service projects, youth outreach efforts, and leadership opportunities through the Student-Athlete Leadership Team (SALT). These experiences encourage students to lead with humility, compassion, and service.

Character Development in Action

Saint Mary intentionally integrates character education into athletics and campus life through a variety of programs and initiatives.

SpireTalks

The athletics department cohosts SpireTalks, a TED-style speaker series focused on leadership, purpose, and character development. Presentations from coaches, university leaders, and other speakers help student-athletes connect the Champions of Character values to their own experiences and future goals.

Coach and Staff Development

Every athletics department meeting begins with a reflection tied to Saint Mary's Vincentian values and the Champions of Character framework. Coaches share practical strategies for fostering character development within their teams.

Vocation Initiative

Through the university's Vocation Initiative, coaches and faculty collaborate on discussions about purpose, leadership, and student development. These conversations strengthen the connection between academics and athletics while reinforcing servant leadership and personal responsibility.

Campus-Wide Education

Saint Mary regularly provides educational opportunities for faculty and staff to better understand the role athletics plays in student development and how the Champions of Character program supports the university's mission.

Athletics Rooted in Mission

The University of Saint Mary believes athletics is about more than winning games. It is a powerful platform for developing leadership, character, faith, and service.

The mission of USM Athletics is simple:

USM Athletics develops a culture of excellence that inspires student-athletes to realize their God-given potential.

This mission complements the university's commitment to preparing students for value-centered lives and careers that contribute to the well-being of our global society.

Building Champions of Character

Over the past two decades, Saint Mary has expanded from eight intercollegiate sports to 27 varsity programs, creating opportunities for hundreds of student-athletes to pursue higher education while competing at the collegiate level.

Throughout this growth, the university has remained committed to:

• Character development
• Academic excellence
• Community service
• Leadership training
• Competitive integrity
• Inclusive team cultures
• Ethical decision-making

Student-athletes are challenged to excel in the classroom, contribute to their communities, and compete with integrity. Through mentorship, service, leadership opportunities, and meaningful reflection, they develop skills that extend far beyond athletics.