SSU's Mallory Albers with a "Champions of Character" sign hanging in the background.

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Champions of CharacterI don’t know what the play-by-play guy on the radio was telling you this afternoon, but here’s the story behind the 13-minute delay of Shawnee State’s tip.Florida Memorial came to the Tyson Events Center today in its blue uniforms. They apparently assumed that since they were the eight seed, they would wear road uniforms. However, it’s the bottom team on the bracket (Shawnee State) that was supposed to be wearing blue uniforms.Someone had to change so two teams in weren’t facing off in similar shades of blue. Because Florida Memorial’s hotel was 30 minutes away and SSU’s just a couple blocks, the Bears offered to change into their white uniforms and save Florida Memorial the trips (and everyone the delay).An act like this epitomizes what the NAIA’s “Champions of Character” program is all about.It’s Web site reads that the program “is designed to instill an understanding of character values in sport and provide practical tools for student-athletes, coaches and parents to use in modeling exemplary character traits.”The program is so important that it has become a part of the NAIA’s logo and every event the association hosts.Which brings me back to Sioux City.This evening, the team participated in the “Parade of Champions.” It’s not a normal parade. The teams are brought out onto the court at the Tyson Events Center with their first round opponents, and the teams exchange shirts with one another as a sign of sportsmanship.Also at the event, one member of each team was honored for displaying the values (respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, integrity and servant leadership) that the Champions of Character program holds high.Mallory Albers was selected as SSU’s champion of character.“I thought it was really an honor that my teammates selected me for this award,” she said. “I really didn’t expect it. I try to show sportsmanship and leadership both on and off the court.”Albers exemplified the qualities that made her deserving of the award today against Florida Memorial. In the biggest game of the season, she was not playing well by her standards (2-for-12 shooting), her team was having struggles, and she was getting pushed around and fouled more than she has any time this year.But Albers didn’t get flustered. She didn’t hang her head. She didn’t shy from the physical play. She didn’t seek to “return the favor” to anyone.She just did the right thing.Much like the team did before the game. Much like they always do.“It kind of got us all flustered and everything to have to do that but you have to do what you have to do,” Albers said. “Our jerseys were closer so, of course, (changing is) what you’re going to do.”All too often in sports, this element is over-looked. But these Bears have displayed they are champions both on and off the court.Kudos to Mallory Albers and to all of the champions of character.