Marymount College Receives Honors for Athletes of Character and Academic Achievement

Marymount College Palos Verdes has earned top honors from the National Association for Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).  The NAIA, a governing body for college athletic programs, awarded its “Five Stars” honor to Marymount College for achievement in the NAIA’s Champions of Character program that instills character development and academic achievement in student athletes.

The college was evaluated through the measurement of its athletes’ conduct in competition and for the athletic teams’ leadership that fosters in student athletes the importance of academic achievement and the demonstration of outstanding character.  Marymount College’s success was for its men and women soccer program.

To receive this award, colleges and universities must score 60 or more points on the NAIA Champions of Character scorecard. The scorecard contains measurable goals and monitors progress towards advancing character-driven intercollegiate athletics. Institutions earned points based on exceptional student-athlete grade point averages and by obtaining zero ejections during competition throughout the course of the academic year.

Five Star Award recipients are recognized on the NAIA Champions of Character web site and receive a special web banner and certificate noting the honor.  College presidents and athletic directors will be recognized at the NAIA national convention in April 2012.

Marymount College intends to continue leading its athletic programs under the values of the NAIA ‘s Champions of Character program.  In 2012, the college will begin a men’s and women’s cross country team and has plans to add a track & field and a tennis program in the future.

Marymount College is one of two Catholic, coeducational colleges in Los Angeles County. Offering bachelor’s degrees in Business, Media Studies and Liberal Arts the college has locations in Rancho Palos Verdes and San Pedro.  In the spirit of its founding order, the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, Marymount challenges its students to pursue lives of leadership and service, and strives to graduate students who embody the virtues of integrity, respect for human dignity and commitment to justice.