For the 16th year in a row, Brenau University has been named a Champions of Character Five-Star institution by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. The Golden Tigers also achieved gold-level status.
The 210 institutions recognized as five-star award winners for the 2024-25 academic year earned points in character training recognition and promotion, and community service and team-building activities. Points were also given based on grade-point average and having minimal to no ejections during competition throughout the year.
All 15 member institutions of the Appalachian Athletic Conference, including Brenau’s Ernest Ledford Grindle Athletics Department, are on the list; 11 earned gold-level status. In addition, the AAC was named a Champions of Character Five-Star Conference. To be awarded as a five-star conference, at least 50% of the conference’s institutions must receive the NAIA Champions of Character Five-Star Institution Award.
“Our coaches and student-athletes are to be commended for their commitment to sportsmanship, leadership, integrity, respect and responsibility – the values that contribute to this recognition,” Mike Lochstampfor, vice president of athletics and head soccer coach, said. “We prioritize the NAIA Champions of Character program and each year our department is involved in character training, character promotion and other character-driven initiatives. We are all very proud to be consistently recognized on this list.”
According to the NAIA’s website, the mission of the Champions of Character program is “to provide training to instill the values that build character so students, coaches and parents know, do and value the right thing on and off the field.” The program emphasizes the NAIA’s Five Core Values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership through character-driven athletic programs. The NAIA encourages student-athletes to display the core values on the field, court or track and in the classroom.
The Golden Tigers consistently are awarded for academics, dominance in their sport, and contributions to leadership, sportsmanship and community service. Brenau had a banner year academically as 11 teams and 14 student-athletes were honored by the NAIA for achievement during the 2024-25 academic year. The swim team also was named to the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America Scholar All-America Team for the spring 2025 semester. Two softball players were named NAIA Softball All-Americans and one was additionally named a National Fastpitch Coaches Association first team NAIA All-American.
During the year, Brenau’s competitive cheer team captured their second consecutive national championship title. Additionally, four Golden Tigers qualified for the NAIA Women’s Swimming and Diving National Championships and two runners qualified for the NAIA Women’s Cross Country National Championship.
Student-athletes are able to serve on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Representatives from each team meet on a regular basis throughout the year to discuss Champions of Character and other topics related to the student-athlete experience at Brenau.
