Champions Of Sports And Life To Discuss How To Be A Champion Of Character With St. Thomas University Students At Inaugural Event

News provided by

Oct 11, 2013, 01:52 ET

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla., Oct. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The St. Thomas University Athletics Department will host its inaugural NAIA Champions of Character Panel Discussion on Tuesday, October 15 where students will learn from successful individuals from the sports world on the application of the five core values of Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Sportsmanship and Servant Leadership.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100709/STULOGO)

International Tennis Hall of Fame member Butch Buchholz, professional race car driver Milka Duno, and former Miami Dolphins Player Judge Ed Newman headline the list of panelists who will share their life experiences with the students through the prism of the Champions of Character core values.

Inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2005, Buchholz reached No. 5 in the world as an amateur in 1960 and was U.S. Pro Champion in 1961. Following his playing career, he became Executive Director of the ATP and the Commissioner of World Team Tennis. He later founded the International Tennis Players Championships in South Florida in 1985. That event, today known as the Sony Open, has established itself as one of the world's premier tournaments.

Duno, who joins the panel as part of her Milka Way educational initiative, was the first woman to win a major international sports car race in North America and later became the first Latina to qualify and race in the Indianapolis 500. This year, she completed her first full season in the ARCA Racing Series, finishing seventh in the driver point standings to become the second highest finishing female driver in ARCA's 61-year history. Duno, a certified Naval Engineer who holds four master's degrees - the last three earned simultaneously - and author of the award-winning bilingual children's book Go, Milka, Go!, has helped thousands worldwide through her Milka Way educational program.

A member of the 1973 Super Bowl champions and a four-time Pro Bowler, Newman played offensive guard for the Miami Dolphins from 1973 – 1984 under Don Shula, the NFL's all-time winningest coach. During his playing career, Newman began studying law and today is a County Court Judge in Miami-Dade County.

Florida State Representative Kionne McGhee, St. Thomas University professor Debbie Goodman-Lerner, Boston Red Sox professional scout Wilie Romay, and Manny Tarich, Esq. will also serve on the panel. ESPN and BIG 105.9 broadcaster Dave Lamont will moderate the discussion.

The event will begin at 7 p.m. at the Fernandez Family Center for Leadership and Wellness on the St. Thomas University campus. Approximately 500 attendees are expected at the event, including all 260 St. Thomas University student-athletes representing 12 varsity sports. For more information on St. Thomas University, visit www.stu.edu. For more information on St. Thomas University Athletics, go to www.stubobcats.com.

About NAIA Champions of Character: Champions of Character was developed by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), which formally teaches character through athletics at its member colleges and universities. Since 2000, Champions of Character has provided free training and resources to help those who work in athletics make character development a priority. Since the inception of the program, St. Thomas University has been recognized as a Champion of Character Five-Star Institution by the NAIA for exemplary implementation of the program. For more information on the NAIA Champions of Character program, visit naia.org

MEDIA CONTACT: Phil de Montmollin, St. Thomas University
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE St. Thomas University