DSU earns NAIA Champions of Character Gold-Level recognition
July 30, 2026
MADISON, S.D. – Dakota State University has earned Gold-Level Five-Star Champions of Character Institution honors from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) for the 2025-26 academic year.
DSU achieved a perfect score of 100 points on the NAIA Champions of Character Scorecard, earning the maximum 20 points in each of the five scoring categories. This marks the second consecutive year the Trojans have earned Gold-Level distinction. Dakota State was also recognized as a Champions of Character institution for more than 10 years.
The Champions of Character program evaluates institutions on their commitment to the NAIA’s five core values: integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership. Institutions are assessed in areas including character training, conduct in competition, academic achievement, character recognition, and promotion of the program’s values.
Dakota State maintained a perfect conduct record during the 2025-26 academic year, with no ejections across its athletic programs. The University also provided character education for coaches, staff, recruits, and student-athletes, including leadership programming through the “Find Your Stride” speaker series.
Service to the community remained a central part of the department’s efforts. Trojan student-athletes and staff participated in the University-wide DSU Day of Service, volunteered at Special Olympics events, assisted with the Madison Food Pack, and supported the ”A Day with Santa” program in partnership with the Madison Area Chamber of Commerce.
The Trojan women’s basketball team also hosted students from Madison schools during a regular-season game at Madison High School, incorporating educational activities during quarter breaks and halftime.
The Frontier Conference, which Dakota State joined in July 2026, also received the NAIA Five-Star Conference Award.