COLUMBIA, Ky. -- Lindsey Wilson College athletics was recognized by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics on Tuesday for earning the distinction of being a Champion of Character Five Star Institution.

Lindsey Wilson scored 79 points on the Champions of Character scorecard which measures elements such as character training, conduct in competition, academics, character recognition and character promotion.

Institutions that obtained 60 points on their scorecard were graded as five-star institution.

"It's a great honor for Lindsey Wilson College to receive this recognition from the NAIA," Lindsey Wilson athletics director Willis Pooler said. "I'm incredibly proud of our student-athletes and coaches for their hard work on the field of play, but I'm equally proud of the role they play on our campus and within our community in supporting the NAIA's Champions of Character initiative."

Lindsey Wilson was one of eight of its full-time Mid-South Conference members to earn the award. The Mid-South was one of 23 conferences to earn the honor reserved for those conferences with at least 60-percent of its membership scoring at least 60 points on the scorecard.

Two hundred and 20 NAIA institutions scored at least 60 points on the Champions of CharacterScorecard. The NAIA's scorecard was created to provide institutions with a checklist of measurable goals on their commitment and utilization of the five core character values -- respect, integrity, responsibility, servant leadership and sportsmanship -- the association embraces.

According to the NAIA, Five Star award recipients will be recognized on the NAIA Champions of Characterwebsite, and receive a special web banner and certificate noting the honor. Presidents, athletics directors and conference commissioners at award winning colleges, universities or conferences also will be recognized at the 71st Annual NAIA National Convention in April.

"In today's complex college athletic environments – where success is sometimes only measured by wins and losses – strengthening effective athletic departments and leadership is key to advancing character-driven intercollegiate athletics," said Kristin Gillette, NAIA Director of Champions of Character. "The Scorecard supports and recognizes member institutions and conferences using sport as a vehicle to teach life lessons. No doubt this is a point of differentiation in college athletics and making a huge impact on our 60,000 student-athletes."