The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) was named a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Champions of Character® Five-Star Institution Award winner for the 2023-24 academic year. Annually, NAIA schools use the Champions of Character core report to measure the pursuit of character-driven athletics while focusing on helping participants find balance by keeping the five core values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership, at the heart of the athletics experience.
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. Institutions earned points based on exceptional student-athlete grade point averages and by having minimal to no ejections during competition throughout the course of the academic year.
UVI was one of the 209 Institutions nationwide to earn this award, and one of five members of the Historically Black Colleges and University Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) to be recognized. Schools scoring a minimum of 60 out of 100 points on the Champions of Character® scorecard receive the Five-Star Institution Award. The University earned bronze status for the 2023-2024 academic year after missing the mark to qualify for 2022-2023.
“Receiving this award is a great accomplishment for the UVI Athletics Department because it shows what can happen when we set and maintain high standards,” Director of Athletics Dr. Karen Carty said. “Earning bronze status this year after not qualifying the previous year shows how hard our student-athletes, coaches, and staff have worked to embody the five core values of the NAIA. I look forward to earning silver or gold for the 2024-2025 season.”
About UVI Athletics
The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and a member of the HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC), formerly the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC). Entering the 2024-25 season, the Buccaneers will begin their 18th season of athletic competition. As the only Historically Black College or University (HBCU) in the Caribbean, UVI currently sponsors six sports, including men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s basketball, and men’s and women’s outdoor track and field. For more information on UVI Athletics, visit UVIAthletics.com.
