Kansas City, Mo. - Indiana University Northwest has been recognized as a Five-Star Silver Institution in the NAIA's 2025-26 Champions of Character® Core Report, joining 203 member institutions nationwide honored for their commitment to character-driven athletics.
The NAIA Champions of Character Core Report evaluates member institutions across five key areas — character training, conduct in competition, academic focus, character recognition, and character promotion. Earning Five-Star Silver status places IUN among a select group of programs recognized for going above and beyond in developing student-athletes both on and off the field.
IUN student-athletes, coaches, and staff took part in several service initiatives, including:
- IU Day of Service — a campus-wide effort bringing together Redhawks athletics with the broader university community to give back locally.
- Partnership with Tradewinds — Redhawks student-athletes volunteered their time in support of Tradewinds' mission in the Region.
- Local Food Bank Support — teams pitched in to help address food insecurity in Northwest Indiana, sorting and distributing donations to those in need.
These efforts reflect the NAIA's Five Core Values of respect, responsibility, integrity, sportsmanship, and servant leadership, which anchor the Champions of Character program. Beyond service, IUN's Silver recognition also reflects strong marks in student-athlete academic performance throughout the year.
With this recognition, the Redhawks reaffirm their commitment to developing well-rounded student-athletes who make a lasting, positive impact both in competition and in the community.
