GREENVILLE, S.C. - At last week's National Christian College Athletic Association Convention Hall of Fame Luncheon, it was announced that the University of Northwestern is the 2025 #KingChasing Institution of the Year.

Per the NCCAA, the #KingChasing program uses the four values of the Game Plan 4 LIFE – Love, Integrity, Faith, and Excellence – to enhance the purpose of collegiate athletics to be more than winning championships. The mission of the #KingChasing program is to keep Christ at the center of the student-athlete experience.
  
NCCAA member institutions have the opportunity to be named an NCCAA #KingChasing Institution on an annual basis. Earning this title showcases the institution's commitment to integrating Christ within its athletic department. Participating institutions can earn points in a variety of ways, including on-field/court/course/track sportsmanship, academic excellence, service projects and #KingChasing curriculum completion, among other areas. The top three point-earning institutions were named finalists for the NCCAA #KingChasing Institution of the Year, with UNW coming out on top.

Northwestern Director of Athletics, Dr. Matt Hill, was on-hand at the luncheon to accept the award on the department's behalf. "We are honored to receive the NCCAA #KingChasing Award," Hill said. "Our staff and student-athletes worked hard this past year trying to make a difference in this world through relationship building, mission trips, community service, praying for everyone we competed with, and more. We are grateful to the NCCAA and Mizuno for their financial support for student missions and Christian Ministries scholarships." As Dr. Hill alluded to, the $12,000 prize will be divided between student missions funds and ministry student scholarships at the university. Hill and Assistant Director of Athletic Operations and External Relations, Gabrielle Webster, spearheaded UNW's #KingChasing efforts this academic year.