DWU Athletic Department

A commitment to the true spirit of competition through respect,
responsibility, integrity, servant leadership and sportsmanship.

DWU Football – 2007 Champions of Character
Men’s Soccer – 2007 Champions of Character

All Dakota Wesleyan University student-athletes and their coaches have taken a pledge, a commitment to the true spirit of competition becoming Champions of Character.

Champions of Character, an initiative of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, brings formal emphasis to character development through respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership and sportsmanship.

Athletes representing every sport at DWU raise their hands and vow to be true champions of character. By taking the pledge, DWU athletes and coaches agree to follow a code of ethics established by the NAIA and adapted to fit DWU.

Respect - Information delivered by public address announcers at Dakota Wesleyan events is neutral and information based, and a Champions of Character announcement is read at the beginning of each contest.

Responsibility - DWU reports graduation rates from an IPEDS Report and lists at least two objectives to increase the university's graduation rate.

Integrity - A "Coaches Code" and "Code of Ethics" are presented and signed by all athletic staff and administrators. All DWU student-athletes receive, read and sign a "Champions of Character" pledge. They are asked to uphold the code.

Servant leadership - Student-athletes are asked to participate in at least one community service activity.

Sportsmanship - A policy of no profanity in practice and game competition is established.