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Athletics

 

LSUS' Pearson receives NAIA Champions of Character Award

May 09, 2012

PADUCAH, Ky. - Kyle Pearson received the NAIA Champions of Character Award for the LSU Shreveport Pilots at the Paducah Convention Center during the banquet to kick off the 2012 NAIA Baseball National Championship Opening Round for the Paducah Bracket. One member from each of the five teams in the tournament received a COC award.

Pearson and the no. 1 Pilots (48-4) will take the field at Brooks Stadium - Doc Hideg Field Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. CDT against the winner of the first game of the day between the fourth-seeded Peru State Bobcats (35-16) and the fifth-seeded Grand View Vikings (27-27) at 10 a.m. CDT. The second game of the day at 2 p.m. CDT matches the second-seeded Lindsey Wilson Blue Raiders (41-14) and third-seeded Bellevue Bruins (39-19).

The NAIA Champions of Character embraces five core values that each athlete supports: integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership.

Integrity - Internal traits that guide behavior
Integrity is structural in nature. It is a combination of all inward traits that build upon one another to determine who you are. Just like a ship the structural integrity of an individual depends upon the material used to build it and the people who guide its construction. Linked to moral character integrity might be described as an individual's inside identity. Core value traits include but are not limited to the following:  

  • HONESTY: Proclaims the truth.
  • POISE: Demonstrates calmness and self-control in the face of adversity.
  • PATIENCE: Exercises inward strength in the face of adversity without demanding a deadline to remove it.
  • DETERMINATION: Diligently works' to reach goals regardless of the obstacles.
  • PASSION: Has an intense emotion and feelings towards their sport and improving their performance.

                                                                                           

Respect - Treating others the way you want to be treated.
Respect is social character in action as it is given and received in public. Respect is valuing the person that stands before you. In an athletic setting the person standing before you could be the coach, a teammate, an opponent, an official or a spectator. Core value traits include but are not limited to the following:

  • HONOR: Values the cost of those that lead or provide. (examples: coach, official, opponent, fan, game managers)
  • ATTENTIVENESS: Demonstrates the worth of a person by giving them undivided attention.
  • TEACHABILITY: Has a desire to learn without any reservations.
  • TOLERANCE: Learns to accept others regardless of social, economic or race differences.
  • DISCRETION: Recognizes and avoids words, actions and attitudes which could result in undesirable consequences.

  

Responsibility -The social force that binds me to the group
Responsibility is a social contract among a group's members to act in a manner that leads to greater group success. All great teams throughout history have had one thing in common: Unity of purpose. Core value traits include but are not limited to the following: 

  • COMMITMENT: Dedicates self to following up on his/her words with action even if it means unexpected sacrifice.
  • LOYALTY: Uses times of adversity to demonstrate his/her commitment to others.
  • CONSISTENCY: Stays true in principle in all circumstances.
  • CANDOR: Speaks the truth at the time when the truth should be spoken.
  • ALERTNESS: Keenly aware of the events taking place around him/her so that they can have the right responses to them.

 

Sportsmanship - Following the rules, spirit, and etiquette of athletic competition
Sportsmanship demonstrates both internal and external character. Sportsmanship is both a product of internal traits such as fairness and external traits such as hospitality. Sportsmanship is following the rules of a contest and demonstrating a concern about the spirit and etiquette of how the contest is played or administered. Core value traits include but are not limited to the following:

  • OBEDIENCE: Fulfills instructions and rules.
  • FAIRNESS: Looks at a decision from multiple viewpoints.
  • JUSTICE: Takes personal responsibility to uphold what is pure, right and true.
  • HOSPITALITY: Shares cheerfully with those whom he/she come in contact.
  • HUMILITY: Sees the contrast between what is perfect and self evaluation.

 

Servant leadership - Serving the greater good:
Servant leadership encourages individuals to serve others while staying focused on achieving results in line with the organization's values.  This core value demonstrates both internal and external character.  In an athletic setting a team's chances for success are increased when its members become servant-leaders.  A team made up of servant-leaders trusts their coach to make the best decision for the team.  Whether you are the star of the team or the person that makes the star better each and everyday in practice your role is important.  Understanding the role you play on the team and accepting that role demonstrates servant-leadership. Core value traits include but are not limited to the following:

  • LEADERSHIP: Steers others toward a positive conclusion
  • SERVANTHOOD: Cares for and meets the needs of others before caring for self.
  • INITIATIVE: Recognizes and does what needs to be done before he/she is asked to do it.
  • SELFLESS: Gives without expectations of personal glory.
  • DECISIVE: Learns to finalize difficult decisions on the basis of what is right, not popular or tempting.