SAINT MARY-OF-THE-WOODS, Ind. — Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College has been recognized as a Silver-level recipient of the 2025-26 NAIA Champions of Character Five-Star Institution Award.

SMWC was among 203 NAIA member institutions recognized as Champions of Character Five-Star Award recipients for the 2025-26 academic year.

"This recognition reflects the intentional work of our student-athletes, coaches and staff to represent Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College the right way," SMWC Associate Vice President for Athletics Kevin Lanke said. "Integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership are not simply ideas we discuss. They are standards we expect our programs to demonstrate in competition, in the classroom and throughout our community. Earning the Silver Star is a credit to everyone who continues to make character a central part of the student-athlete experience at SMWC."

Institutions are evaluated on their demonstrated commitment to the NAIA Champions of Character program and earn points in the areas of character training, conduct in competition, academic focus, character recognition and character promotion.

Points are also awarded for exceptional student-athlete grade-point averages and for maintaining minimal to no ejections during competition throughout the academic year.
The Champions of Character program emphasizes the development of well-rounded student-athletes by placing integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership at the center of the collegiate athletics experience.

The Silver Star recognition continues SMWC Athletics' commitment to developing successful students, athletes and leaders while competing with character on and off the field.