Davis receives top honor

Vanguard University women’s basketball coach Russ Davis has been named the 2007 recipient of the NAIA Coach of Character Award.

Davis, who has a 289-75 record in 11 seasons, has guided the Lions to five consecutive Golden State Athletic Conference regular-season titles, eight total conference championships and nine NAIA Division I women’s basketball national tournament appearances.

Davis will be recognized at the ninth annual National Sportsmanship Awards Dinner, scheduled June 21 at the Chase Park Plaza Hotel in St. Louis, Mo.

Davis, who has more than 25 years experience in the coaching profession, has a philosophical approach to teaching the game of basketball that embraces the NAIA’s Champions of Character core values: respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership and sportsmanship.

“Russ is deeply respected by all members of the campus community, the Golden State Athletic Conference, Region II and the NAIA, as a person of integrity who models character values,” Vanguard Athletic Director Bob Wilson said in a statement. “He is a principled person who incorporates an ethic of service into his character and conduct. Russ builds trustful relationships that respect and honor the uniqueness of others. He lives by a faith that fortifies his conviction that acting in the best interest of others gives his own life a special meaning and a sense of personal fulfillment.”

Davis implements at least one of the five core values of the NAIA’s character initiative daily as part of his coaching method and development of his team. At Vanguard, Davis uses athletics as an opportunity to teach integrity, and he believes a person of integrity has depth of character and a sound foundation. He tells student-athletes that integrity means beliefs and actions are in alignment. The Lions understand the expectations and what is needed for success both in academics and athletics.

“When I think of respect and what it means, Coach Davis has helped to install this characteristic in my own life,” Vanguard senior forward Kelly Schmidt said. “Playing for coach has been an amazing learning experience. I have improved in many areas including basketball and developing as a person off the court.”

Outside of Davis’s coaching responsibilities, he serves as a Champions of Character instructor for the Vanguard University Program Center, designed to provide character education and outreach throughout Southern California.

Davis has been named Women’s Basketball Coaches Assn. Regional and National Coach of the Year, has served on the NAIA tournament committee and is a member on staff for the Nike All-American summer camp each year.

“The biggest compliment a coach receives is from current and former players. So many NAIA coaches create a lasting impact that goes well beyond a win-loss record,” said NAIA Director of Champions of Character Initiatives Rob Miller. “Russ is a coach that is committed not only to the game but also his ability to develop individuals of character through sport. His players know and understand the life lessons and the gift of character development and how that translates into success now and in the future.”