Athletes from the NAIA Women’s National Soccer Tournament are set to make a meaningful contribution to Communities Caring at Christmas while competing at Pensacola’s Ashton Brosnaham Soccer Complex. The soccer players will spend time at the Brownsville Community Center, where they’ll help sort and pack essential items for children in need.
WHY IT MATTERS: This community service initiative is part of the NAIA’s Teaming up for Character program, which organizes outreach events in tournament host cities. The program aims to build meaningful connections between student-athletes and local communities while promoting character development and inspiring positive community impact.
- Alex Schultz, NAIA Championship Sports Manager, emphasized the program’s significance: “Through these Teaming Up for Character events, we touch thousands of lives each year with meaningful community outreach. We’re thrilled to support Communities Caring at Christmas in Pensacola, an established program that provides new toys, clothing, and essential items to abused, neglected, and abandoned children across Northwest Florida. This collaboration perfectly reflects both the holiday spirit of giving and our organization’s dedication to making a difference beyond athletics.”
The volunteer effort will involve 80 players, drawing ten athletes from each of the eight teams still competing in the National Championship tournament. Players will work in two shifts, with the first 40 volunteers coming from Monday’s winning teams and the second group of 40 representing Tuesday’s victorious teams.
- Pensacola Sports CEO Ray Palmer expressed his appreciation: “When the NAIA selected Pensacola for their Women’s Soccer Champions Tournament, we knew we were getting something special. Their players’ involvement with Communities Caring at Christmas has exceeded our expectations. This truly demonstrates the exceptional character of this organization.”
Research shows that the longer a student spends in sports, her social reasoning – sacrificing for the good of the team – rises. The Champions of Character® program helps participants find the balance by keeping the NAIA Five Core Values – integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership – at the heart of the athletics experience.
The Champions of Character program was designed to help those influenced by sports programs know the right thing, do the right thing, and value the right thing inside and outside of the sports setting. Champions of Character messages are intended for all who are involved in a student’s sports experience—from the administrators who run the organization to the parents and fans in the stands.