ST. LOUIS - For the third time in four years, a William Woods University program has won an NAIA Conference Commissioner Association (CCA) American Midwest Conference Team of Character accolade, with the latest being softball, the AMC's 2024-25 recipient on the women's side, announced the conference in a release Monday.

This award honors one men's and one women's team - Harris-Stowe State University track and field picked up the men's award - for their exemplary character and sportsmanship on the field, on campus and in the community. These teams demonstrated the core values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership. Each AMC member school can nominate a men's and women's team. The Conference Champions of Character Committee selected one men's and one women's team to receive the award. The conference selections will be nominated for the NAIA CCA Team of Character as part of the NAIA National Award Program.

Criteria

• Must be an AMC Championship sport
• Must exemplify the Five Core Values

William Woods Softball
The WWU softball team exemplified respect by honoring the game, teammates, opponents, officials and all involved - showing energy and sportsmanship without ever crossing lines. It took responsibility seriously, especially in academics, with nearly the entire team earning a 3.0 GPA or higher, while holding themselves accountable on and off the field.

Owls softball demonstrated integrity by balancing demanding academic, athletic and campus commitments through programs like Champions of Character and LEAD. Their servant leadership includes community service, supporting local organizations, promoting literacy and prioritizing mental wellness. William Woods also upheld elite sportsmanship, using real-life moments as character lessons and maintaining high standards no matter the situation. 

This is the third time the Owls received the AMC's Team of Character Award, joining the women's soccer (2023-24) and baseball (2021-22) teams.

What They're Saying:
"It does not shock me one bit that we received this honor because coach Gastineau expects each and every one of her players to act with integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership," Owls utility player Jessica Keilholz stated. "We owe it to the sport, our families, each other, our coaches and William Woods University."

"Our team is very honored to receive this award," William Woods Associate Director of Intercollegiate Athletics/Head Softball Coach/Senior Women's Leader Tracy Gastineau expressed. "I'm proud of our players for representing our program, our university and our conference in a positive and respectful way. We strive to represent 'Our Three Outs,' in and out of the classroom and on and off the field, and it is nice to be recognized for that."

"We could not have asked for a better way to exit the AMC," WWU Interim Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Casey Wieder said. "William Woods softball had a tremendous season on the field, in the classroom and in the community! This is a testament to the culture that coach Gastineau has built during her time at WWU."

Up Next
William Woods softball and Harris-Stowe men's track and field will be nominated for the NAIA CCA Team of Character, which will be announced during the NAIA National Awards Day on Sep. 15.