National Awards Day
The National Awards Day recognizes the association's highest individual honors and achievements of NAIA student-athletes, administrators, and coaches. Winners are announced in September of each year.
2024 National Awards Day Winners
Student-Athlete Awards Hall of Fame Institution/Admin Awards
Teams of Character Scholar Teams
Click here for award nomination information
A. O. Duer Scholarship Award
Named in honor of the NAIA's former executive secretary, the A.O. Duer Scholarship Award recognizes one male and one female junior student-athlete who has excelled in scholarship, character, and citizenship.
Emil S. Liston Award
Named in honor of the NAIA's first executive secretary and the prime mover behind the men's basketball tournament, the Emil Liston Scholarship Award recognizes one junior men's and one junior women's basketball student-athlete who has shown high athletic and academic achievement.
Dr. LeRoy Walker Award Student-Athlete of Character
Named in honor of the former NAIA and U.S. Olympic Committee president, the Dr. Leroy Walker Award recognizes outstanding student-athletes for their academics, athletics, leadership, and dedication to living the core values of Champions of Character®. This award was created in association with the National Sports Foundation.
Al Ortolani Scholarship Award
Named in honor of the head athletic trainer at Pittsburg State University (1955-1995), the Al Ortolani Scholarship Award recognizes student-athletes pursing an entry-level degree in athletic training.
The Hall of Fame Award is the highest honor presented by the association. Nominees must be of outstanding quality, high moral character, fine leadership ability and must be held in high esteem by their colleagues, former coaches and former athletes. The Hall of Fame consists of an athlete and coach category for each sport currently or formerly sponsored by the NAIA and a category for general meritorious service.
Athletics Director of the Year
Recognizes an outstanding athletics administrator based on accomplishments during the previous year in the areas of athletics administration and service to the NAIA.
Athletic Trainer of the Year
Recognizes an NATA-certified athletic trainer has distinguished themselves as a model of the profession of athletic training in personal conduct and professional allied health service to athletes.
NAIA Coach of Character Award
Recognizes a head coach who has been outstanding in embracing the five core values of the NAIA Champions of Character® initiative by deliberately teaching character to their student-athletes through sport.
Larry Lady Officiating Award
Named in honor of the former NAIA Assignor of Officials (basketball, football, and baseball), the Larry Lady Officiating Award recognizes an official of any NAIA sport.
Charles Morris Administrator of the Year
Named in honor of the former NAIA Associate Executive Director, the Charles Morris Administrator of the Year recognizes administrators in all phases of NAIA athletic programs (ex., FARS, eligibility chairs, commissioners, sports chairs, etc.) on college campuses and/or administrators of affiliated conference/CAC (Independents).
Clarence "Ike" Pearson Award
Named in honor of the former statistical crew chief of the NAIA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship, the Clarence "Ike" Pearson Award recognizes a member of the NAIA-Sports Information Directors Association (NAIA-SIDA) for their outstanding contributions to the profession.
Sport Information Director of the Year
Recognizes an outstanding sports information director based on accomplishments during the previous year in the areas of sports information and service to the NAIA.
Wally Schwartz Faculty Athletics Representative of the Year Award
Named in honor of the former NAIA vice-president of Legislative Services, the Wally Schwartz Faculty Athletics Representative of the Year Award recognizes a conference/CAC (Independents) and national Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR) for their loyalty, enthusiasm, and honesty throughout the past year.
Female Trailblazer of the Year
Recognizes an outstanding woman leader who exemplified outstanding support of women in athletics and their success.
NAIA RISE Leader of the Year
Recognizes an outstanding leader in the NAIA based on accomplishments in the areas of Respect, Inclusivity, Support, and Education (RISE) initiatives and service to the NAIA.
School of Character Award
Recognizes an NAIA institution that exemplifies exceptional commitment to fostering character development among their student-athletes and embracing the five core values of the NAIA Champions of Character® initiative.
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2023-24 School of Character |
Conference Commissioners Association Champions of Character® Team Awards
The Conference Commissioners Association (CCA) Champions of Character Team Award is given annually to one men’s and one women’s team for their exemplary character on the field, on campus, and in the community.
Recognizes teams that achieve a minimum 3.0 grade point average
(on a 4.0 scale) as defined by the nominating institution.
View recipients by GPA View recipients by Institution View recipients by Sport View recipients by State
Previous Winners
Explore the NAIA database of Hall of Fame members and previous award honorees. Utilize the search function to find individuals based on name, institution, sport/role, honor, and/or year.
NAIA Hall of Fame NAIA Honors & Awards National Awards Day Winners
