July 29, 2026

KANSAS CITY, Mo.  – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced Wednesday morning that the Frontier Conference has been named a 2025-26 Five-Star Conference Award recipient.  Ten full-time institutions in the league were recognized, including seven that achieved GOLD status.

Seven Frontier schools earned the GOLD award are Bellevue (Neb.), Bismarck State (N.D.), Carroll (Mont.), Dakota State (S.D.), Dickinson State (N.D.), MSU-Northern, and Montana Tech.  BU, BSC, CC, DaSU, MSU-N, and MT scored a perfect 100 points on the scorecard.

In addition, Montana Western received the SILVER award.  Providence (Mont.) and Rocky Mountain (Mont.) each earned the BRONZE award.

Every year, each NAIA institution and conference demonstrates its progress in pursing character-driven athletics.  The Champions of Character scorecard measures growth in character training, promotion, conduct in competition, and commitment in five key areas, with a possible score of 100 points.

Institutions are recognized as Champions of Character Five-Star Institutions at three different levels – Gold (90-100 points), Silver (75-89 points), and Bronze (60-74 points). 

Conferences earn the Five-Star Conference Award based in part on at least 60 percent of member institutions must receive the Five-Star Institution Award.

The NAIA Champions of Character program’s mission is to help student-athletes, and their coaches embody five core values: integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership.