As Bushnell Athletics strives to develop a well-rounded student-athlete through our Tri-Athlete Model, we fully endorse the NAIA's "The Right Way to Play" campaign.

This also includes our participation in the NAIA's Champions of Character initiative as a natural bi-product of things our student athletes would be doing throughout the year regardless. The initiative, which boasts the five core values of respect, integrity, responsibility, servant leadership and sportsmanship, is woven throughout the Bushnell athletic program.

The Bushnell University athletic department has long been known for their strong efforts in the community and as strong representatives of the school both on and off the court. Our desire at Bushnell is to give every student-athlete plenty of opportunities to actively live out their faith and to be molded into Christ's image in and through their sport and their team. Our goal each year is for every student-athlete to complete at least 20 hours of community service. 

Bushnell participates in a number of signature service events each year. This includes a fall kick off event for returners, bringing in non-perishables to benefit FOOD for Lane County. This event occurs during Orientation Weekend at the same time that all new students participate in "Get Your Serve On", working with Every Child Lane County at a back-to-school outreach event.

The Beacons also have a heavy presence during our annual Embrace The City Day. On one Wednesday each fall, afternoon classes are canceled to allow students, faculty and staff to take part in a number of service projects in and around Eugene. Teams use the opportunity to work together, being a light in the community as a part of the greater Bushnell community.

Outside of school-wide signature events, every team participates in at least one community outreach event each year. Over the years, these projects have include work with FOOD for Lane County, Special Olympics, St. Vincent De Paul, Hosea Youth Services, Hannah's House, Relay For Life, Olive Plaza Senior Living, Operation Christmas Child, and Generosity Feeds.

Bushnell athletes, coaches, and teams are often recognized for their work in the community, and in 2025 Bushnell was named the inaugural winner of the Cascade Collegiate Conference School of Character Award.

Ten different student-athletes have earned the individual Cascade Collegiate Conference Champion of Character Award. These individuals are women's soccer player Britni Steiling (2011), volleyball player Janel Fetters (2014), men's basketball player Jordan Alexander (2018), women's soccer player Britnee Joaqin (2019), men's soccer player Kaleb Miles (2019), softball player Maya Jenkins (2020), men's soccer player Kaleb Miles (2021), softball player Sam Silver (2022 and 2023) and men's track & field athlete Jaron Carter (2023).

Sam Silver was also selected as Bushnell's first winner of the NAIA's Dr. Leroy Walker Champion of Character Award in 2022. 

Instituted in 2021, Bushnell has had at least one team recognized as the Cascade Conference Team of Character every year, sweeping the inaugural honors with both Men's Soccer and Women's Basketball selected in 2021. Baseball was honored in 2022 and 2024, women's track & field was picked in 2023, and men's track & field was the choice in 2025. 

Three Bushnell leaders have also been recognized over the years as the Cascade Conference Coach of Character. This includes women's basketball coach Chad Meadors in 2021, baseball coach Tommy Richards in 2024, and Director of Track & Field/Head Cross Country Coach Kyle Will in 2025. 

For Bushnell student-athletes to truly be seen as Champions of Character, our efforts on the field of play need to represent respect, integrity and sportsmanship. In striving for excellence to the Glory of God, the Beacons have an obligation to compete to win honorably, while understanding that true success in athletics is not measured solely by the outcome of the contest. Bushnell expects all of its athletic participants to experience winning and losing with appropriate demonstrations of humility and grace. Being on the field of play is an occasion to exhibit Christ-like virtues of self-control, kindness, gentleness, patience, joy, faithfulness, and love.

Responsibility is evidenced in efforts of Bushnell to make sure the Student comes first in student-athlete. A piece of our Tri-Athlete model, being a Beacon in the Classroom is of utmost importance.