XU climbs to fourth on Champions of Character Scorecard

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana is in the top 10 for the second straight year on the NAIA Champions of Character Scorecard released last week by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.

Xavier scored 91 points in 2010-11 to tie for fourth nationally with Biola University of La Mirada, Calif. Xavier climbed three places and four points from the previous year. NAIA members earned the Champions of Character Five Star Award by scoring at least 60 points.

Schools earned points in each of the following categories: 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 obtaining zero ejections during competition throughout the academic year. The scorecard process is based on the NAIA's flagship program Champions of Character, which emphasizes the five core values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership.

Cornerstone University of Grand Rapids, Mich., repeated as the NAIA leader with 103 points. Xavier's point total ranked first in Louisiana, first among Catholic universities, first in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference, first among HBCUs (historically black colleges and universities) and first in the South. A year ago Xavier was second in the South but first in the other categories.

The GCAC was the only conference with three of the top 10 schools and four of the top 22. The GCAC's Tougaloo College of Tougaloo, Miss., placed eighth with 88 points, Talladega College of Talladega, Ala., tied for ninth with 87 points, and Edward Waters College of Jacksonville, Fla., tied for 18th with 85 points.

More than 80 percent of NAIA members — 220 in all — will receive the Champions of Character Five Star Award for 2010-11.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
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