The GSAC has recognized 20 student-athletes from across the conference as recipients of the 2026 Cliff Hamlow Champion of Character Award. The honor is presented annually to one male and one female student-athlete from each GSAC institution who exemplify excellence in athletics, leadership on campus and in the community, future ambition, and the five core values of the NAIA Champions of Character program: respect, responsibility, integrity, sportsmanship, and servant leadership.

To be eligible, student-athletes must be at least a junior academically and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. The award is named in honor of former GSAC Commissioner Dr. Cliff Hamlow, who led the conference from 1991 to 2012. Hamlow played a central role in developing the NAIA’s Champions of Character initiative and was recently inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame for a second time.



2026 Cliff Hamlow Champion of Character Award Recipients

Arizona Christian University
Kaesha Guillaume
A senior pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Biblical Studies, Kaesha Guillaume has compiled a 3.64 cumulative GPA while competing in both cross country and track & field throughout her collegiate career. Her academic work reflects both discipline and vocational focus as she prepares for a future in healthcare, with plans to pursue a Doctorate of Optometry. Guillaume is known for her structured approach to goal setting, regularly outlining detailed academic and athletic plans for her coaches while holding herself accountable to the habits required to achieve those goals.

Beyond the classroom and competition, Guillaume has made a meaningful impact across campus and within the community. As a leader in both programs, she supports teammates academically and encourages a culture centered on discipline, humility, and mutual accountability. She represents international students and science majors during Honors Scholar Weekend, works with the Career Services “Co-LAB” team to strengthen academic resources and career readiness, and assists fellow students through her work in the Registrar’s Office. In the community, Guillaume has volunteered as a youth track and swim coach in Saskatchewan, helped establish a women’s crisis shelter through her church community in Alberta, and served families at the Maricopa City Food Pantry during school breaks. Athletically, she is a four-time All-GSAC honoree, a 2025 NAIA Cross Country National Championship qualifier, and the Arizona Christian school record holder in the steeplechase.

Logan Johnson
Logan Johnson, a junior midfielder on the Arizona Christian men’s soccer team, exemplifies the balance of academic excellence, athletic performance, and Christ-centered leadership that defines the Cliff Hamlow Champion of Character Award. A Business Administration major with a 3.79 cumulative GPA, Johnson has consistently demonstrated strong academic discipline while contributing significantly to the Firestorm soccer program.

On the field, Johnson has been a two-year starter and a central presence in the midfield, appearing in 46 career matches with 39 starts. His work rate, tactical discipline, and leadership have helped anchor the team’s performance, highlighted by a game-winning goal in a key conference victory during the season. Johnson’s leadership extends well beyond competition. He has earned CSC Academic All-District honors twice and plays an active role in campus and community initiatives. He serves as a team leader for Student-Athlete Leadership Chapel and regularly participates in outreach efforts including YMCA youth soccer clinics, service projects with St. Mary’s Food Bank, and community engagement through the ACU Phoenix Charity Cup.

Benedictine University Mesa
Malik Payton
Malik Payton demonstrates exceptional commitment to academics, leadership, and service while balancing the responsibilities of collegiate athletics. A double major in Marketing and Communications, Payton applies his coursework in real-world settings, particularly in areas such as digital marketing strategy, communications development, and the emerging use of artificial intelligence tools.

On campus, Payton serves as President of the Black Student Union, leading initiatives designed to promote inclusion, dialogue, and meaningful student engagement across the Benedictine University Mesa community. He also serves as a Resident Assistant, mentoring fellow students and helping cultivate a supportive living-learning environment. Known as a dependable and visible campus leader, Payton consistently advocates for student involvement and unity. His commitment to service extends beyond campus through youth mentorship programs and service-oriented initiatives that focus on empowerment, education, and community building. Within the men’s basketball program, Payton contributes to team culture through discipline, resilience, accountability, and a commitment to teamwork while maintaining strong academic performance.

Naomi Elliott
Naomi Elliott represents Benedictine University Mesa through excellence in athletics, leadership, and academic achievement. Maintaining a 3.5 GPA, Elliott has emerged as a key contributor and leader for the women’s basketball program, serving as team captain while starting every game this season. She averages 10.6 points and 5.8 rebounds per contest while logging the second-highest minutes total on the roster.

Elliott’s leadership has helped guide the program to a successful season within a highly competitive conference, exceeding preseason expectations and positioning the team for postseason play. Off the court, Elliott serves as a Resident Assistant where she supports younger students as they transition into college life and helps foster a welcoming and inclusive campus community. She is also deeply committed to service, volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club and Midwest Food Bank while assisting with Benedictine athletic events and organizing team-building activities that strengthen relationships among teammates.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Jesse Kaphing
Jesse Kaphing, a senior pitcher for the Embry-Riddle baseball program, represents the highest standard of academic and athletic excellence. A Phoenix native majoring in Aerospace Engineering with a concentration in Astronautics, Kaphing holds a perfect 4.0 GPA while pursuing one of the university’s most demanding academic programs.

Kaphing plays a key role in his senior capstone engineering project, where he serves as structures lead on the development of a hopping lunar robot. His responsibilities include structural optimization, materials analysis, and energy efficiency design while collaborating with interdisciplinary engineering teams. On campus, Kaphing has served as a team captain and has been deeply involved with Team Impact, working closely with Eli, the honorary member of the Embry-Riddle baseball team. He also contributes to the Be The Match donor program, serves as a Resident Assistant, and has earned Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athlete recognition. On the field, Kaphing has been a starting pitcher for the Eagles over the past three seasons and delivered a memorable complete-game shutout during the 2024 NAIA Opening Round.

Jamie Black
Jamie Black has distinguished herself as both a scholar and leader during her time with the Embry-Riddle women’s soccer program. A senior Mechanical Engineering major with a propulsion concentration and minor in mathematics, Black maintains a 3.6 GPA while excelling athletically and academically.

Black has earned recognition as a two-time United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-American, a three-time NAIA Daktronics Scholar-Athlete, and a two-time CSC Academic All-District selection. She currently serves as President of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes on campus while remaining active in the Rocket Development Lab and Chi Alpha ministry. Black also works as an academic mentor, tutoring students in advanced math and engineering courses, and contributes to the athletic department through game operations support. In the community, she volunteers weekly with Heights Christian Church youth programming, assists with youth soccer camps, and regularly visits residents at the Good Samaritan Society Nursing Home. On the field, Black served as team captain during a historic season in which the Eagles advanced to the NAIA National Semifinals, the deepest postseason run in program history.

Hope International University
David Shackelford
David Shackelford has been a standout both on the field and in the classroom for Hope International’s baseball program. A two-time Dean’s List student, Shackelford balances academic achievement with a decorated athletic career that includes being named the 2025 GSAC Player of the Year and earning All-Conference recognition. His success on the field reflects a commitment to discipline, preparation, and accountability that also carries into his academic and personal life.

Beyond athletics, Shackelford is actively involved in campus and community initiatives. He participates in chapel and Bible study events on campus and regularly volunteers with local youth baseball programs, helping mentor young athletes and introduce them to the game. Shackelford has also supported church-led food drives in his community. Known for his reliability and leadership among teammates, he places a strong emphasis on honesty, responsibility, and being a dependable presence within the team environment.

Amira Austin
Amira Austin has distinguished herself as a leader within Hope International’s women’s basketball program while maintaining strong academic performance. A team captain and GSAC All-Conference selection, Austin is also recognized as both a GSAC Scholar-Athlete and NAIA Scholar-Athlete. She is a member of the Sigma Beta Delta Business Honor Society and earned a university General Scholarship in 2025.

Austin’s commitment to service is evident through her extensive community involvement. She volunteers with Special Needz Coffee, a program that supports employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities, and contributes to local outreach efforts through the OC United Food Bank and Wilshire Avenue Church food distribution center. Within the team environment, Austin models leadership through communication, respect for teammates and coaches, and a commitment to positive sportsmanship. She emphasizes that respect is demonstrated through both words and actions, striving to maintain strong relationships with teammates, opponents, and officials alike.

La Sierra University
Tomas Godoy
Tomas Godoy has become a respected leader within the La Sierra University community through his involvement in campus leadership, athletics, and academic service. As a student in the Zapara School of Business, Godoy serves as the Student Office Manager and Internal Events Coordinator, where he helps organize initiatives that support faculty and strengthen the academic environment for fellow students.

Godoy also serves as President of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, representing the voice of student-athletes while helping develop programs that promote leadership and collaboration across campus. Athletically, he competes on both the men’s golf and men’s volleyball teams and serves as captain of the volleyball program. His leadership style emphasizes accountability, respect, and professionalism while consistently reflecting the core values of the NAIA Champions of Character program.

Elaina Gonzalez
Elaina Gonzalez is recognized at La Sierra University for her dedication to service, leadership, and personal development both on and off campus. Her commitment to community service began in the San Francisco Bay Area where she volunteered in youth and hospitality ministries at her home church. She continues that service through volunteer work with Crosswalk Church while mentoring younger athletes as a coach with her former club soccer program.

Gonzalez is also actively involved in outreach through Pacific Islands Together, where she assists with food drives, fundraising events, toy drives, and other initiatives designed to support families in need. She regularly contributes to community events with the Town of Colma, including luncheons and programs serving local seniors. On campus, Gonzalez supports the Health and Exercise Science Department by helping coordinate prospective student events, while also gaining professional experience through internships connected with both La Sierra University and her previous junior college.

Life Pacific University
Josh Citron
Josh Citron has demonstrated exceptional dedication to academic achievement, leadership, and service throughout his time at Life Pacific University. A member of the men’s soccer program, Citron graduated in December 2025 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration while maintaining an outstanding 3.9 cumulative GPA across nine semesters between two institutions.

Citron’s impact extends well beyond the classroom and playing field. He has served on four missionary teams to Ensenada, Mexico, contributing to community outreach and service initiatives. Locally, he has organized beach soccer clinics for youth players, using the sport as a platform for mentorship and skill development. On campus, Citron served as captain of the men’s soccer team and assisted the athletics department by operating broadcast cameras for basketball and volleyball games. A 2022 Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athlete and 2025–26 GSAC Fall Scholar-Athlete, Citron currently works in marketing and sales for his family’s business while continuing to pursue competitive opportunities in international beach soccer with aspirations of representing the United States Beach Soccer National Team.

Abbigail Hartt
Abbigail Hartt exemplifies the values of the Cliff Hamlow Champion of Character Award through consistent academic excellence, leadership, and service. A member of the Life Pacific women’s basketball program, Hartt has earned President’s List recognition each semester and has been named a GSAC Scholar-Athlete.

Hartt is deeply involved in both campus leadership and ministry. She serves as the Multicultural Student Organizations Event Coordinator, planning events that celebrate cultural diversity and strengthen community across the university. She is also a member of the campus chapel worship team, contributing to the spiritual life of the institution. Hartt has participated in international mission work in Romania and plans to return again this year, continuing her passion for service. Following graduation, she hopes to develop spiritual formation programs for athletes and coaches while pursuing ministry work that uses sport to engage and support youth.

OUAZ
Rolen Driscoll
Rolen Driscoll exemplifies academic discipline, leadership, and service throughout his time at OUAZ. Maintaining a 3.73 GPA, Driscoll has been recognized with the Dean’s Award of Academic Excellence while balancing his academic responsibilities with leadership roles across campus.

Driscoll serves as both Vice President in student leadership and as a Resident Assistant, roles that require daily commitment to mentoring peers, managing campus programming, and fostering a supportive residential community. He is also a team captain within his athletic program, modeling perseverance and teamwork for his teammates. His commitment to service includes more than 100 volunteer hours, highlighted by teaching adaptive physical education to special needs students at Verrado High School and leading sports-based learning programs for elementary students at Kingswood Elementary School.

Sophie Jackson
Sophie Jackson has played a significant leadership role within the OUAZ community during her collegiate career. After serving as a Resident Assistant during her sophomore and junior years, she was promoted to Senior Resident Assistant as a senior, where she helped manage residence life operations and organize campus programming.

Jackson also served as Student Body President during her senior year, representing the voice of the student population while collaborating with university leadership on campus initiatives. Academically, she has been named to the Dean’s List from 2023 through 2025 and earned Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athlete honors in both 2024 and 2025. Her leadership and academic success were further recognized with the university’s Medal of Excellence award.

Park University Gilbert
Ryan Lea
Ryan Lea has made a meaningful impact on the Park University community through academic mentorship, athletic leadership, and community engagement. On campus, Lea serves as one of the lead tutoring mentors in psychology and English within the Academic Success Department, working closely with fellow students to help them achieve academic success.

Within athletics, Lea has served as a team captain and played a key role in anchoring one of the top defensive units in the GSAC during the 2025 season. Park recorded five clean sheets and allowed its first goal in regular play only late in the season. Lea’s commitment to service also extends internationally. He participated in the Monster Mud Run in Britain supporting multiple charities and is involved with both the National Citizen Service and the Duke of Edinburgh organizations. Additionally, he has volunteered as a youth soccer coach during his time living in Nebraska.

Lauren Runnion
Lauren Runnion has excelled academically, athletically, and within the community during her time at Park University. A Sport and Exercise Science major with a 4.0 GPA, Runnion earned recognition as both an NAIA Scholar-Athlete and GSAC Scholar-Athlete after transferring from La Jolla Community College.

On the field, Runnion established herself as one of the program’s most accomplished players, setting the school’s single-season scoring record with 10 goals while also becoming the program’s all-time leading scorer. She started all 18 games for the Buccaneers this season and earned All-GSAC honors. Runnion’s community involvement includes volunteering with the National Women in Sports camp, assisting with a community college food pantry, supporting mental health and LGBTQ+ advocacy initiatives, and participating in donation drives that collected shoes for individuals in need.

Soka University
Daiki Katsukawa
Daiki Katsukawa represents the global and service-oriented mission of Soka University through exceptional academic achievement and international leadership. A senior cross country and track & field student-athlete majoring in Liberal Arts with a concentration in International Studies and Peace Studies, Katsukawa has consistently earned Dean’s List recognition while also being honored as a NAIA Scholar-Athlete and Champion of Character.

Katsukawa’s commitment to peace advocacy has taken him to the global stage. He served as an official delegate at the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony in Oslo representing the Hiroshima and Nagasaki Peace Messengers and later worked as a Japanese-English interpreter for Nobel Peace Prize laureates from Nihon Hidankyo. He has also interpreted for United Nations leadership in Geneva and mentored high school students interested in international relations, helping coordinate educational visits to the United Nations.

Mallorie Barteau
Mallorie Barteau has demonstrated excellence in academics, leadership, and service while competing as a senior on the Soka women’s soccer team. She is pursuing a Liberal Arts degree with a Life Sciences concentration and pre-health focus while conducting research in venom biochemistry and preparing a capstone project focused on return-to-sport protocols following ACL reconstruction for female athletes.

Barteau serves as President of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and has been a three-year team captain for the women’s soccer program. She also serves as the athletics representative for the Student Leadership Association. Outside of athletics, she works as a sports medicine intern and physical therapy aide, using her Emergency Medical Technician certification to assist with patient care and rehabilitation.

The Master’s University
Jack Anderson
Jack Anderson exemplifies the principles of integrity, responsibility, and servant leadership throughout his academic and athletic career at The Master’s University. A senior business major, Anderson maintains a 3.83 GPA while balancing the demands of collegiate athletics and active involvement within his church community.

Anderson’s faith plays a central role in shaping his approach to leadership and competition. He strives to represent his university with humility and purpose, focusing on character development and service to others rather than personal recognition. His consistent commitment to sportsmanship and accountability reflects the values emphasized by the NAIA Champions of Character program.

Hannah Ulibarri
Hannah Ulibarri has distinguished herself as a scholar-athlete and leader within The Master’s University community. Maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA while competing in women’s golf, Ulibarri also serves as the team’s representative within the Mustang Athletic Club leadership program, which focuses on developing leadership skills among student-athletes.

Ulibarri has been actively involved in community service through her church and has participated in multiple outreach initiatives, including international mission work in Guatemala. She previously received the NAIA Dr. Leroy Walker Champions of Character Award after demonstrating remarkable integrity during a national championship event by self-reporting a rules violation that resulted in her disqualification from the tournament. Her decision underscored her commitment to honesty and fairness, reinforcing the principle that character matters more than victory.