LEBANON, Tenn.--The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced on Wednesday its Five-Star Champions of Character Award winners for both institutions and conferences, and for the sixth year in a row, Cumberland University has been recognized as a Champions of Character Five-Star Institution Gold Award winner.

Each year, NAIA schools use the Champions of Character scorecard to measure the pursuit of character-driven athletics. institutions are measured on a demonstrated commitment to Champions of Character and earn points in character training, conduct in competition, academic focus, character recognition, and character promotion. Institutions earned points based on exceptional student-athlete grade point averages and by having minimal to no ejections during competition throughout the course of the academic year.

Cumberland was one of 194 NAIA schools to receive the distinction, 132 schools were named gold winners. Cumberland University earned a perfect score of 100. 

Additionally, the Mid-South Conference was one of 20 conferences in the NAIA to receive the Champions of Character Five-Star Conference Award. Along with its conference recognition, all seven Mid-South Conference schools earned gold distinction: Bethel (Tenn), Campbellsville, (Ky.), Cumberland (Tenn.), University of the Cumberlands (Ky.), Georgetown (Ky.), Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.), and Lindsey Wilson (Ky.)