KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has named Arizona Christian University the 2026 NAIA School of Character award winner, recognizing the university’s campus-wide commitment to developing student-athletes who lead, serve, and compete with integrity both on and off the field.
“ACU has set an exceptional standard for character development in collegiate athletics,” said Jim Carr, NAIA president and CEO. “What stands out is the emphasis placed on the NAIA’s core values and the way their student-athletes put those values into action. The impact they are making on their campus, in their communities, and through the programs they lead is remarkable and truly aspirational.”
The School of Character Award recognizes one institution each year that demonstrates an ongoing commitment to the NAIA’s five core values: integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership.
At ACU, teams are encouraged to look beyond the scoreboard, through campus initiatives, volunteering, and intentional leadership development. The university regularly celebrates examples of individuals who demonstrate integrity, servant leadership, community engagement, and exemplify the university’s mission through their actions.
Nearly every athletic program participates in recurring community engagement through organizations and initiatives like Fellowship of Christian Athletes, youth sports clinics, and international mission opportunities.
“We have long believed that we do sports discipleship at Arizona Christian University as well as any university in America, and this award is validation of that belief and a tribute to the men and women who coach and who lead in our athletic program,” stated President Munsil. ”Our Athletic Director, Dr. Peter Dryer, and our Transformational Coach, Randy Chambers, are leading examples of this. Every coach and leader in our athletics program buys into our institutional commitment to build faith and character among our student-athletes.”
ACU was presented with the award at an on-campus ceremony in Glendale, Arizona.
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