Milwaukee, Wis. — Following the announcement of the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) postseason honors, Blue Angels soccer is proud to share that they have been awarded the recipient of the Karl Boech Champions of Character Award. This award is named in honor of the longtime CCAC official and assignor and is a sportsmanship award that embodies the spirit of the NAIA National Champions of Character program. 

The Champions of Character program seeks to instill the values that build true character, ensuring that students, coaches, and parents know, do, and value the right thing—both on and off the field. The program emphasizes balance and integrity by keeping five core values—integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership—at the heart of the athletics experience. 

This award recognizes teams that consistently demonstrate these principles throughout the season. The Blue Angels have embodied the spirit of the Champions of Character initiative through their dedication to ethical play, teamwork, and leadership within the community. 

"From injury to tragedy, this season we experienced a tremendous amount of adversity," said Coach Baker, head coach of Mount Mary University Soccer. "Yet despite it all, our players and staff showed up every day with a smile and a positive attitude. Those good vibes resonated not only across campus but throughout conference play. It's an incredible honor to be recognized by our peers in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference with such a meaningful award." 

Through intentional leadership and mentorship, Mount Mary University Soccer continues to foster an environment where student athletes grow not only in skill but also in character. The Karl Boech Champions of Character Award serves as a testament to the program's ongoing commitment to excellence in both competition and personal development. 

For more information about the Champions of Character program, visit https://www.naia.org/champions-of-character/index.