(Leavenworth, Kansas) – The University of Saint Mary has been named the 2025-26 KCAC School of Character, the conference office announced Friday. All KCAC Champions of Character Awards are presented by IMA Financial Group.

This marks the first year that the conference has awarded this honor.

"Being named the KCAC School of Character reflects the culture our coaches and staff intentionally build every day," Rob Miller, Vice President of Athletics at Saint Mary, said of receiving this honor. "We believe athletics should challenge students to become exceptional teammates, leaders, and people – not just successful competitors. This recognition affirms the commitment of our entire department to developing young men and women who will make a positive impact long after their playing careers are over."

The Spires implement the five core values that are at the heart of the Champions of Character program in the following ways:

  • Integrity
    • Each team reviews and signs a team handbook at the beginning of the seasonn that serves as a commitment to fair play, honesty, ethical decision-making, and accountability.
    • Regular team meetings and discussions take place that address integrity in athletics, academics, and personal conduct.
  • Respect
    • Coaches facilitate weekly discussions focused on the Champions of Character core values, which emphasize respect in competition, in the classroom, and in the community
    • Several student-athletes serve as mentors through the university's first-generation student program, providing support and guidance to fellow students while modeling respectful behavior and inclusivity.
  • Responsibility
    • Responsibility is encouraged through leadership and service opportunities. The Student-Athlete Leadership Team (SALT) on the campus of the University of Saint Mary organized a food and toiletry drive, benefiting the local Catholic Charities chapter, and every team contributed donations and helped with delivery efforts.
    • Some student-athletes serve as counselors and group leaders for high school religious retreats for Cristo Rey High School in Kansas City, taking responsibility over planning, organizing, and facilitating retreat activities.
  • Sportsmanship
    • Community Engagement - All athletic teams collaborate to host the Berkel Bash, which is an annual event that has free entertainment and activities for local families.
    • Educational Opportunities - Coaches have regular discussions with their team involving sportsmanship, using real-life competition scenarios, including previous ejection incidents, to examine appropriate responses during challenging situations.
  • Servant Leadership
    • Mentoring programs on campus and in the community.
    • Community service projects.
    • Involvement in local youth and faith-based initiatives.
    • Leadership roles on SALT and other campus clubs/groups.


"The Champions of Character program is woven into the daily experience of being a Saint Mary student-athlete," David Bresser, Saint Mary's Champions of Character liaison and head swim/dive coach, remarked. "Whether through leadership opportunities, community service, or the way our teams compete and support one another, we're helping students develop habits of integrity, responsibility, and servant leadership that will guide them for the rest of their lives. It's an honor to see those collective efforts recognized by the conference."

"While there are many reasons to be proud of our successful and dedicated student-athletes, this particular honor—the KCAC's School of Character designation—stands out because it truly recognizes something more enduring than a season's achievements," Dr. Ann Marie Fallon, President of the University of Saint Mary, stated. "Our student-athletes exemplify the Saint Mary way by embracing our mission and values every day. They remind us that true success is measured by the lives we lead and the values we uphold. This recognition is a testament to the remarkable young men and women who represent the University of Saint Mary with excellence."

The University of Saint Mary is a Catholic co-educational applied liberal arts university founded and sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. The University of Saint Mary main campus is located at 4100 South 4th Street, Leavenworth, Kan. USM-Johnson County, at 11221 Roe Ave., offers evening accelerated graduate and undergraduate degree-completion programs. The university also offers online programs. Visit stmary.edu for more information.