KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Cal Maritime Athletics earned one of the National Association of Intercollegiate
Athletics' (NAIA) most prestigious institution awards when the organization announced
its Five-Star Champions of Character recipients. In addition to being recognized as
a Champion of Character recipient, Cal Maritime Athletics also earned Gold Status,
the highest level of distinction, thanks to another perfect score.
Of the 250 NAIA institutions across the nation, Cal Maritime was one of 27 to post
the highest possible Champions of Character result.
"Our cadet-athletes are leading by example and proving once again just how integral respect, sportsmanship, responsibility, integrity, and servant leadership is to the
Cal Maritime experience," said Interim President Michael J. Dumont. "As we look forward
to the start of the 2023-2024 academic year, I want to give a very warm congratulations
to these amazing cadet-athletes, as well as our coaches and staff in Athletics for
earning this distinguished recognition."
The 2022-23 honor marked the third occasions, in as many years, that Cal Maritime
earned Champions of Character accolades by earning every possible point on the program's
annual scorecard. With this accomplishment, Cal Maritime is one of only six NAIA schools to record a perfect score in each of
the last three straight academic years.
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. Additional points are earned due to exceptional
student-athlete grade point averages and/or minimal-to-no ejections during competition
throughout an academic year.
Thanks to Cal Maritime's year-long efforts, the California Pacific Conference also
earned Champions of Character Five-Star Conference distinction.
The Champions of Character program is designed to instill an understanding of character
values in sport and provides practical tools for student-athletes, coaches and parents
to use in modeling exemplary character traits. Launched by the NAIA in 2000, the Champions
of Character program addresses character issues more comprehensively than any other
national program.
The NAIA Champions of Character program is an educational outreach initiative that
emphasizes the tenets of character and integrity, not only for NAIA college students,
but for younger students, coaches and parents in our communities.
Coaches, parents, administrators and community partners all have a role in developing
students of character. The NAIA Champions of Character program brings them training,
guidelines and behavior models to create positive environments that promote growth
and fun sport activity.
ABOUT CAL MARITIME
Established in 1929, California State University Maritime Academy is the only degree-granting
maritime academy on the West Coast. Located in Vallejo, California, the campus offers
undergraduate degrees that prepare students for careers in engineering, transportation,
international relations, business, and global logistics. Cal Maritime also offers
a master’s degree in Transportation and Engineering Management, as well as a number
of extended learning programs and courses.