St. Louis, Mo. – Brittany Stewart from Harris-Stowe State University (Mo.) has been named the American Midwest Conference (AMC) Coach of Character award winner.
 
This award, given annually, is awarded to a head coach of an AMC institution who has been outstanding in embracing the five core values of the NAIA Champions of Character® initiative by deliberately teaching character to his/her student-athletes through sport.
 
Criteria:

• Must be a head coach of the AMC institution and been employed by the institution a minimum of five years.
• Must be clearly outstanding in:
  • Embracing the five core values of the NAIA Champions of Character initiative.
  • Methods to deliberately define, model, shape and reinforce character to his/her student-athletes within the coaching environment including any Live 5 program implementation.

 
Brittany Stewart, Harris-Stowe
Stewart, an East St. Louis, Ill.-native, began coaching volleyball at Harris-Stowe State University in 2018 and made an immediate impact at the school. Stewart graduated from Kentucky State University with a bachelor's degree in child development and family relations. After graduating she received her master's degree in nonprofit leadership from Webster University.
 
Since joining HSSU, she has assumed many job titles including Assistant Athletic Director for Wellness and Programming, Senior Women's Leader and a member of the Development Committee for the Harris-Stowe State University Foundation.
 
As a coach that creates a positive environment, one of the main things that coach Stewart does is player led practices. These practices allow each player to critique each other in a vulnerable manner, run drills, work through drills to come up with a solution that allows them to move on to the next drill. Doing this teaches each student-athlete responsibility and integrity. Not only does this teach good character, but it also shows that they can work through team building and bonding.
 
"The sense of inclusion and belonging motivates athletes to do their best," said Coach Stewart. "It's up to the coaches to create environments that allow players to develop essential communication skills. Wanting your team to wins is normal, but those who value positive development over winning provide athletes with a better chance of succeeding in life than those who make triumph their only goal."
 
What they said:
"It is rare to find someone that leads through the NAIA Five Core Values of Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Servant Leadership and Sportsmanship. It is rare to come across an individual that has one of those qualities let alone all of them. Brittany Stewart has all of them," said William A. Carey, Director of Athletics at Harris-Stowe State University.
 
"As a transfer here [Harris-Stowe] I didn't really know anyone, and I was still trying to find my place with team and classmates. When I would have bad mental days, she was always there for me whether I liked it or not. Coach "Britt" is like a second mother, always there for you no matter what," said Jayden Sortor, Harris-Stowe Volleyball Player
 
"She [Coach Stewart] is the epitome of poised and this carries to the way she coaches. No matter if her team is down or facing a tough opponent, she never wavers on her team. Coach Stewart is always available for them. She cares for the entire person, mentally and physically," said LaMonica M. Scott, Sports Information Director at Harris-Stowe.
 
Next:
Stewart is now eligible for the NAIA Coach of Character award, which will be announced publicly during the NAIA National Awards Day in September. The winner will be presented with a certificate and recognized at an annual function in conjunction with the NAIA National Convention.

When asked how it felt to receive this honor, Stewart replied, "My character was built through my coaches when I once was an athlete. I make sure I'm modeling good character on and off the court for the student athletes I serve here at Harris-Stowe State University. I'm honored to be chosen for this award."