The award is considered one of the most prominent honors in the NAIA as it recognizes a student-athlete who excels both in the classroom and on the athletic field, while being committed to the Champions of Character program's five core values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership. Champions of Character is dedicated to the principle that character is a choice and that being a champion is about reaching your potential and making good decisions consistently in daily life.

"This award is very humbling and shows that character is noticed by other people, and that nice guys don't always finish last," said Kroeker. "I feel it is also a testament to Tabor College and the importance they place on teaching and upholding character as well as Christian lifestyle."

This past season Kroeker served as team captain and one of the top scorers for the Tabor College Men's Basketball Team before his season was cut short due to a season-ending wrist injury. On the tennis court he helped lead a young Bluejays tennis team to a second place finish in the KCAC standings.

The award is named after Dr. Walker, President emeritus of the United States Olympic Committee who served as president through the 1996 Atlanta Summer Games. Dr. Walker is a graduate of Benedict College (S.C.) and a former president of the NAIA.

Kyle graduated from Tabor this past spring with a degree in elementary education, and recently became married to college sweetheart Alyssa Voth this past July. The newly married couple will be moving to Great Bend, Kan. where they have accepted teaching jobs this fall.