Soka Athletics Earns NAIA Recognition

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), the NAIA Character Advisory Committee and the NAIA National Office announced the highlights and results from the 2018- 2019 Champions of Character scorecard on Wednesday, September 11, and selected Soka University of America Lions as a Gold Level Champions of Character Five-Star Institution.

The Champions of Character program continues to grow and impact people throughout our nation as a result of the passion and commitment of NAIA member institutions. Champions of Character activities are an integral part of every NAIA program annually, impacting more than 25,000 individuals.

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

Champions of Character provides training for student-athletes and professional development for coaches and staff. The core values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership (community outreach) are put into play and accounted for at all NAIA schools.

The NAIA also announced that the California Pacific Conference has again earned the Champions of Character Five-Star Conference Award for 2018-2019. After two consecutive years with all 12 institutions earning Gold Star recognition, 10 of the 12 conference schools were awarded Five Stars. Six of those 10 earned Gold Star recognition; Cal Maritime, EmbryRiddle, Antelope Valley, Pacific Union, and UC Merced, in addition to Soka University of America.

This year, 16 NAIA Conferences earned the Champions of Character Five-Star Conference Award. In 2017-18, the Cal Pac (of which Soka is a member) was the only conference to have all of its members earn Five-Star awards, and the nine Gold members (which equals the alltime NAIA high--set by the Cal Pac the previous season) and three Silver members amassed the highest collective score in NAIA history.

Submitted by Erica Baldaray, Assistant Director of Athletics

SOKA ATHLETICS LAUNCHES MOBILE APP Soka University Athletics with the assistance of SIDEARM Sports has announced the launch of their new mobile app, now available for both Android and iOS.

“We are extremely excited to announce the launch of our Soka Athletics Mobile App,” said Assistant Director of Athletics Erica Baldaray. “Our partnership with SIDEARM Sports has enabled us to expand its digital presence, as well as allow for all of our Soka fans, both domestic and international, to have a user friendly and all-inclusive experience.”

The Soka Athletics app is now available in the Google Play and Apple App stores.