Champions of Character

Champions of Character Liaison


Makayla Holcombe
Phone Number: (864) 587-4237
E-mail: holcombem@smcsc.edu

NAIA Champions of Character®

The "Champions of Character" program at Spartanburg Methodist College is an initiative sponsored by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) that emphasizes the development of character in student-athletes. The program is built upon five core values: integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership. These values are integrated into the athletic experience through character training, academic focus, character recognition, character promotion, and conduct in competition. 

Student-athletes at Spartanburg Methodist College take a pledge to uphold these values, understanding their responsibility to represent themselves, their teams, and the college with integrity and sportsmanship. Coaches also participate by completing the NAIA's Character-Driven Coaching course, which helps them incorporate character development into their coaching philosophy.

Through this comprehensive approach, Spartanburg Methodist College aims to foster an environment where character development is as integral to the student-athlete experience as athletic performance.

Champions of Character Recipients

2024-25

Men's Cross Country: Omarion Ocampo-Rios
Women's Cross Country: Letitia Bahongwerhe
Women's Soccer: Caitlin Lagos
Men's Basketball: Marshall Lamb
Women's Basketball: Zy Bell
Men's Golf: Andrew Walker
Women's Golf: Melanie Meredith
Men's Track & Field: Marc Mixtega
Women's Track & Field: Da'Sani Kinlaw
Volleyball: Racquel Talley
Beach Volleyball: Bailey Beck