To me, a true champion shows respect on and off the court at all times.  Here at William Woods University members of the women’s basketball team are “Champions of Character” and, we take pride in knowing that each and every day we demonstrate respect no matter where we are, or who we meet.  To be a “Champion of Character” is a privilege because we get to prove to fans, family, coaches, teammates, and opponents that we take honor in representing our school in a respectful manor.

Nobody likes lose, but everyone will lose at least once in their life.  My teammates, coaches, and I don’t like to lose either.  However, when we do lose we are not ill-mannered.  We do not protest or make inappropriate gestures to the referees during the game.  The referees try their hardest to make the game fair, and we have to respect them and the calls they make.  After every game we show respect to the opposing team and referees by shaking their hand, and telling each player good game.  As a team we show respect to our fans and family by thanking them for coming, and watching us play.

My teammates, coaches, and I are a team.  This means we must respect one another for who they are, and the role they play on the team.  The women’s basketball team is a family.  We may not always agree, but that doesn’t mean we stop giving each other respect.  As an athlete you must be willing to take constructive criticism in a respectful way, no matter who it is giving the advice.  We answer to our coaches by looking them in the eyes, and talking to them in a courteous manor.  As a team, we also demonstrate respect to our coaches by always being punctual.

Not only must you respect others but most importantly you must respect yourself.  The women’s basketball team respects themselves by eating healthy, and completing their entire workout for the day.  When you have respect for yourself, you also have confidence in yourself.  As athletes we must be confident in making wise choices on and off the court.  The only way we’re going to be able to make wise choices is by having respect for ourselves.

I believe that the women’s basketball team at William Woods University has been able to demonstrate respect, no matter what the circumstance may be.  Therefore, we have received the same respect, in return.  We were brought up with morals and values, and the women’s basketball team still demonstrates this.  Only now we show it in many different ways.  This is why the players of the women’s basketball team, at William Woods University, are “Champions of Character.”