Keith Champion Inducted into NCCAA Hall of Fame

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Coach Keith Champion

CLEARWATER, FL (04/27/2011)(readMedia)-- Keith Champion, Instructor of Education and ESS, Assistant Athletic Director, and Men's Basketball Coach at Clearwater Christian College, is a recipient of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Hall of Fame Award. Coach Champion has coached teams at Northland International University, Pensacola Christian College, Pillsbury Baptist Bible College, and CCC. According to the NCCAA press release, "Keith's real legacy is his commitment to using basketball to serve the Great Commission. Having served as a pastor, Keith's favorite pulpit is a gym or an outdoor park that has any type of basketball coach."

"Coaching has meant an opportunity to be in and around athletics," said Coach Champion. "It is amazing how God can take someone's hobby and turn it into a ministry where you can use it to impact others." Coach Champion takes the CCC athletic motto, Every Athlete a Disciple, to the highest level. He is a consistent example of godliness and character to all athletes with whom he is in contact.

"Through the years, God has shown me the importance of living a consistent daily life," he said. "The only way to do that is to focus on Him and His Word. Young people need to model those who are consistent and allowing God to continually mold their lives. The thing I like most about coaching is the relationships with players, coaches, and referees. Relationships that last beyond the season, or the career of a player, and that last a lifetime are the things most rewarding to me."

Athletic Director, James Whitaker said, I can't think of anyone more deserving to be inducted into the NCCAA Hall of Fame. Coach Champion has been a model of consistency, character, and commitment to Christ throughout his career. His legacy is in the impact for Christ that he has had on numerous lives through athletics."

As a coach, Keith Champion desires to impact not only the techniques of a player on the court, but also the outcomes of character in each individual life he coaches. He is a true model of excellence; an example of steadfast devotion to God's will.

Keith has specific goals for the future of the Cougar basketball program: "My goals are to have disciplined teams that would honor and glorify the Lord and represent the school well. It is my desire to graduate players who would have a desire to serve the Lord with their lives. If we can do those things well, it would also be a desire to have Cougar teams who would continually be in the running to make it to the national tournaments!"