Bruce Brown CCA Team of Character Character® Award
The Conference Commissioners Association (CCA) Champions of Character® Team Award is given annually to one men's and one women's team for their exemplary character on the field, on campus, and in the community.
GRAND VIEW SOFTBALL
In a critical regular-season game, the Grand View University (Iowa) softball team hit what appeared to be a go-ahead home run, but an appeal decision determined the runner missed first base, resulting in the score being overturned. This ruling impacted the team's standing, costing them the regular-season conference title and an automatic berth in the national tournament. Instead of responding with frustration, sadness, or anger, the team approached the decision with humility and grace, ultimately displaying that while things may not always go as planned, a team's response is the truest testament of character. With continued determination, the team later went on to capture the conference tournament title and secured their spot in the national tournament. Grand View's response to adversity was not only a powerful example of sportsmanship, but it was also a real-world demonstration of what it means to be a Champions of Character® Team.
QUOTE
""The Grand View Softball team is honored to accept the NAIA Bruce Brown CCA Team of Character Award for the 2024-2025 year. This recognition for our players is a true testament to being tough enough to make the choice to do the right thing when the right thing is difficult to do. We want our program to be known for how we compete, how we represent our teammates, how we represent our school and how we represent life. These young ladies exemplify these qualities." ~ Coach Yacinich
Honorees Announced for NAIA National Awards Day
Congratulations to the NAIA's 2025 National Awards Day winners, which include student-athletes, athletics personnel, and sports teams from across the association. The honorees are celebrated for their hard work, exemplary character, and significant accomplishments both on and off the field. National Awards Day recognizes the newest NAIA Hall of Fame inductees, 18 individual and team awards, and the 2024-25 NAIA Scholar Team recipients.
National Awards Day - 2025 Winners - NAIA
