Pikeville, KY - This week, the NAIA announced their 2020-2021 Champions of Character Five-Star Award winners, and for the fifth year in a row and ninth time in school history, the University of Pikeville was honored with this award. There were 157 institutions that were honored as either Bronze, Silver, or Gold level institutions and the Bears were one of 58 schools to be named to the Gold level.

Schools earned points through such things as character training, conduct in competition, academic focus, character recognition, character promotion, among other criteria. Eight Mid-South Conference schools were named Five-Star Institutions, while the Bears were one of five to earn Gold level status. The Mid-South Conference as a whole was named a Champions of Character Five-Star Conference.