Kansas City, MO – The University of the Cumberlands Athletic Department has found continued success on the field capturing their third consecutive top-ten finish in the Learfield Cup, while maintaining a strong commitment in the community and with the NAIA Champions of Character Program as they earned NAIA Champion of Character Five-Star Institution for the 22^nd straight school year.  UC earned the gold distinction to be among the 157 NAIA institutions earned this recognition, announced by the national office last Thursday.
 
"Earning Gold status is a testament to coaches, student-athletes and administrators as they have embodied the NAIA Champions of Character initiative," said Athletic Director Chris Kraftick.  "While we continue to focus on athletic success, UC continues to shine and excel in the classroom and being a pillar in the community."
 
Cumberlands was one of 74 schools from across the NAIA that earned gold distinction. The Mid-South Conference had seven full-members named a Five-Star Institution, including gold distinction for Bethel, Campbellsville, Freed-Hardeman, Pikeville, and Tennessee Southern, while Lindsey Wilson received bronze honors. In addition to having seven members earn this award, the Mid-South Conference was one of 19 conferences that was named a NAIA Five Star Conference.
 
This year the Patriots have taking on new projects in the community such as "High-Five Fridays" where teams visit local schools and greet kids to start the day.  Additionally, UC women's wrestler Jesse Kirby became Cumberlands first female to earn the MSC Character First Award.
 
To earn this honor, institutions are measured on a demonstrated commitment to Champions of Character and earned 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.
 
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