KANSAS CITY, Mo. --- The 2010 Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship officially got underway Tuesday at the tournament tip-off banquet and awards ceremony held at the Kansas City Convention Center Ballroom. Approximately 900 student-athletes, coaches, sponsors and fans attended the annual event on the eve of tournament play. Dr. Phil and Mary Pattison, longtime NAIA supporters and honorary coaches, awarded Pattison Champions of Character scholarships to four NAIA student-athletes at the event.
Each year the Pattison family recognizes select student-athletes at the tournament who excel both on and off the court. The recipients, who receive a $2000 scholarship, are chosen from a field of 32 Champions of Character award nominees from each tournament team. The 2010 scholarship recipients are: Elliott Tan of Biola (Calif.) University, Rashad Newbitt of Mountain State (W. Va.) University, Jason Taylor of Oklahoma Christian University and Philip Garnet of Park (Mo.) University.
“We became involved with Champions of Character because we believed in supporting the recognition of young men who truly are making a difference in their schools, homes and communities. After many years of meeting and honoring these individuals we continue to be humbled by the degree of servant leadership these men exhibit,” said Dr. Phil and Mary Pattison. “We are honored to be a part of this program as we believe it is an important step in positively changing the culture of our society through athletics.”
These young men are making a difference in their communities and dedicated to the principle that character is a choice and that being a champion is about reaching your potential and making good decisions consistently in daily life.
Dr. and Mary Pattison have been involved with the Champions of Character program since its inception and are committed to advance character-driven intercollegiate athletics. The mission of Champions of Character is to restore character values and raise a generation of students who understand and demonstrate in everyday decisions integrity, respect, responsibility, servant leadership and sportsmanship.
To learn more about the Champions of Character program and the Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship visit www.naia.org.
About the Pattison Champions of Character Scholarship Award Winners:
Elliott Tan, Biola University, Junior, Guard, Taichung, Taiwan
Elliott Tan is described as a scholar student with impeccable character and the ultimate team player. His teammates have voted him one of the top four in terms of intensity level, caring spirit and commitment to team. This past summer Tan spent three months in the Philippines using basketball as a tool for Christian ministry. During his time he did substantial work with local churches and orphanages. This summer Tan plan to spend a month in Congo, Africa where he will run sports camps and rebuild a town torn apart by civil war. Tan is a representative for BAM (Biola Athletics Ministry) a group that supports all student-athletes on campus.
Rashad Nesbitt, Mountain State University, Senior, Guard, Freeport, Bahamas
The leadership style Rashad Nesbitt exhibits during games serves as a fine example of sportsmanship that is important in furthering the Champions of Character program to youth in the community of Beckley, West Virginia. His consistent positive attitude makes Nesbitt a natural leader with both is teammates and classmates. He realizes the importance of high standards of excellence in the classroom and is someone that many students come to for help. A successful student, Nesbitt is pursing a degree in Business Administration. While awards and accolades follow Nesbitt both on and off the court he maintains a high level of commitment to give back. Nesbitt is a volunteer at sports camps and is an active participant in the Champions of Character program and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He currently sits on the MSU SIFE TEAM that collects food for a local food pantry, part of Campbell Soup's Let's Can Hunger campaign. Nesbitt is also a mentor to Special Olympians and encourages young athletes to chase their dreams. According to Professor Kathy Lewis-Payne, Nesbitt is one of the finest students she has had the opportunity to teach.
Jason Taylor, Oklahoma City Christian University, Senior, Center, Oklahoma City, Okla.
Jason Taylor exemplifies leadership because of his ability to lead as a servant rather than someone who seeks attention for himself. His humility is what draws people to him as a leader and friend. Although possibly the most recognized athlete on campus, he deflects praise and directs it to his teammates. Taylor is also a great fan of other Oklahoma Christian teams. Taylor plans and organizes a day of service for the City of Edmond, Okla. and is a regular volunteer at local elementary schools. Most recently he spent time reading with students at Chisholm Elementary School. Add scholar-athlete to the list of Taylor's accomplishments. While maintaining a full load with basketball and volunteer work, Taylor is an accomplished student and is on track to complete his degree in Business Finance. He was named to the SAC All-Conference Academic Team in 2009 and 2010. Taylor is a NAIA Player of the Week and averages 19.4 points and 10 rebounds per game. Taylor was selected First Team All-Conference and named the Sportsmanship Award winner for Men's Basketball in the Sooner Athletic Conference.
Philip Garnett, Park University, Junior, Guard, Peru, Ind.
Philip Garnett was an academic all-conference selection this season at Park. On a team with depth, Garnett always is ready when coach calls. He provides stability, positive encouragement and has an overall up-beat attitude recognized by teammates, classmates, coaches and staff. He truly is a leader on and off the court. Garnett is an accomplished student and is majoring in accounting. He is a Dean's List honoree, is an active member of Park's Black Student Union and often volunteers for Habitat for Humanity. According to Park University head men's basketball coach Jason Kline, Garnett is a tremendous asset to the Pirates basketball program and the local community. He represents Park athletics in a professional manner at all times and draws people in with his personality and leadership qualities.
