Chad McDowell Awarded NAIA Coach of Character Award
April 13, 2011
LSU Shreveport men's basketball coach Chad McDowell has been named the recipient of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) 2011 Coach of Character Award. The Coach of Character Award is given annually to a coach who demonstrates methods of teaching character through sport and instills a tradition of athletic and community excellence. The award was announced today by the NAIA.
The NAIA Coach of Character Award centers itself on five core values: integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership. After the initial nomination by LSUS Athletic Director Doug Robinson, McDowell was notified he was selected as the representative for the Red River Athletic Conference. McDowell's nomination package included supporting letters from Chancellor Vincent Marsala; Dean of the College of Business, Education and Human Development Dave Gustavson; Assistant Men's Basketball Coach Ryan Edward; and LSUS Alumnus and former men's basketball player Jared Stevenson. The nomination package was sent to the national committee where McDowell was selected as the winner from a group of nominees from other member conferences.
Edward said Coach McDowell is, "truly a gifted teacher and is an example of the type of leader that all should strive to be. His athletes not only become better basketball players, but they become better people because of him."
Stevenson, who played for McDowell from 2007 to 2010 said, "It is not just about basketball with Coach, but it is about being successful in all endeavors. He truly cares about his players and wants them to be responsible, in college and that will translate into the future."
McDowell has been at LSUS since 2004 and has won over 200 games with the Pilots. He has been named the Louisiana Small College Coach of the Year six times.
NAIA Champions of Character is the association's innovative flagship program designed to instill character values in student-athletes, coaches and youth in the communities it serves. McDowell will officially be recognized at the NAIA National Convention in Newport Beach, CA in April 2012.
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Media Contact: Chad McDowell, 318.797.4110 (chad.mcdoweel@lsus.edu)
