WICHITA, Kan. — The Southwestern College women's basketball team has been awarded the KCAC Champions of Character Team of the Year honor for their sport in the 2022-23 season. Champions of Character award winners from each institution have also been chosen. The KCAC Team of Character and Champions of Character awards are sponsored by IMA Financial Group and Dissinger Reed, and both were based on the NAIA Champions of Character award. A team is recognized in each sport, as voted on by their peer coaches.
The Southwestern women's basketball program served their community and campus in a variety of ways this year. The service opportunities they were involved in include, but are not limited to:
- A semester-long campus clean project during the fall semester.
- Volunteered at the Cowley County Historical Museum
- Set up holiday light displays for the Island Park "Isle of Lights"
- Dedicating games to different causes to promote diversity and social awareness, and putting on student-led presentations that relate to those topics.
Committed to advancing character-driven athletics, the NAIA Champions of Character program aims to inspire student-athletes, coaches, officials, and fans to hold high standards and embody what character truly means in a competitive arena. By keeping the five core values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership at the heart of the athletics experience, the Champions of Character program empowers participants to change the culture of sport.
The Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference Champions of Character awards are presented by IMA Financial Group and Dissinger Reed, and are awarded to the student-athletes and team who best represent the mission of the Champions of Character Program.
Your 2022-23 Women's Basketball Champions of Character Student-Athletes are:
| NAME |
INSTITUTION |
CLASS |
HOMETOWN |
| Grace Effertz |
Avila University |
So. |
Kansas City, Mo. |
| Hunter McGuire |
Bethany College |
Sr. |
Cunningham, Kan. |
| Josie Stupey |
Bethel College |
So. |
Arlington, Wash. |
| Kassie Kinniburgh |
Friends University |
Jr. |
Valley Center, Kan. |
| LaMyah Ricks |
Kansas Wesleyan University |
Jr. |
Shawnee Mission, Kan. |
| Kassidy Weaver |
McPherson College |
Sr. |
Katy, Texas |
| Mary Cone |
Oklahoma Wesleyan University |
Jr. |
Bartlesville, Okla. |
| Alyssa Guzman |
Ottawa University |
Jr. |
San Antonio, Texas |
| Heather Chiesi |
Southwestern College |
Fr. |
Independence, Mo. |
| Faith Martin |
Sterling College |
Sr. |
Eskridge, Kan. |
| Olivia Shank |
Tabor College |
Sr. |
Hutchinson, Kan. |
| Daija Planas |
University of Saint Mary |
Sr. |
Killeen, Texas |
| Natalia Perez |
York University |
Jr. |
El Paso, Texas |
About IMA Financial Group
IMA Financial Group is the 3rd largest independently owned broker in the United States: IMA Financial Group, Inc. is an integrated financial services company focused on protecting the assets of its widely varied client base through insurance and wealth management solutions. Because IMA is employee owned, the company's 1,700+ associates are empowered to provide customized solutions for their clients' unique needs. IMA currently works with over 200 educational institutions.
About Dissinger Reed - The Most Trusted Name in Athletic Insurance
Dissinger Reed is a special risk agency that focuses specifically on the unique insurance needs of collegiate athletic departments and state high school associations. The comprehensive coverage, market expertise and peace of mind we provide our clientele are the bedrock of our success. Since 1982, Dissinger Reed has been responding to the rising costs of premiums and medical expenses on behalf of our clients. Dissinger Reed is always proactive in securing the most comprehensive insurance coverage for any risk within your college/university/junior college athletic department, including insurance for camps and clinics, international students and more.
