MILLIGAN, Tenn. - On Wednesday, the Milligan Univesity Athletic Department was recognized as a 2025-26 Champions of Character® Five-Star Institution with a perfect 100-point Gold status for the fifth year in a row.

To achieve a gold award, an institution must score 90 or above on the Champions of Character Scorecard for that academic year. The Champions of Character Scorecard categories include character training, academic focus, character recognition, character promotion and conduct in competition.

This is the fifth year in a row, and the seventh time overall, that the Buffs have achieved a perfect tally.

A total of 14 full-time members of the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) were recognized, as 10 collected perfect Five-Star Gold status for the 2025-26. As a conference, the AAC was named a 2025-26 Champions of Character Five-Star Conference. Milligan was joined by Brenau, Bryan, Johnson, Montreat, Pikeville, SCAD Atlanta, Spartanburg Methodist, Truett McConnell and Union Commonwealth as Gold Five-Star honorees with perfect scores.

Milligan University Five-Star Institution Award History: