KANSAS CITY, Mo. - With direction from creative developers at Silver Oaks Communications, a leader in creating multimedia interpretives, the NAIA recently unveiled a new online awards and honors program that is custom, dynamic, user-friendly, entertaining and educational. The site properly recognizes NAIA Scholar-Athletes, All-Americans, Hall of Fame members, and individuals receiving specialty awards.

The new online honors and awards program, which also features championship history, is part of a larger project that includes the creation of an interactive NAIA awards and honors kiosk. The kiosk made its first appearance this past spring at the 2009 NAIA convention and is housed in the lobby of the NAIA national office located in Kansas City, Mo.

The kiosk and the new online program were graciously sponsored by the Larry Lady family. Lady is the quintessential NAIA spokesperson, and his interest in recognizing former and current student-athletes, coaches, officials and administrators is driven by his passion for intercollegiate athletics.

"On behalf of the NAIA I sincerely thank Larry for his continuous support of and interest in advancing character-driven intercollegiate athletics," said Jim Carr, NAIA President and CEO. "Larry's sponsorship of the NAIA interactive kiosk and new online awards and honors site puts into motion two new resources to recognize current and past award winners. These new celebratory tools make information available on the web to people all over the world. I am confident members and fans will enjoy using the site that is custom, user-friendly and entertaining."

NAIA members and fans may access the new interactive online program via the NAIA's fan site at http://www.naia.org/ or by visiting http://www.naiahonors.com/.

About the NAIA

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, is the governing body for athletics programs at its nearly 300 colleges and universities throughout the United States and Canada. The long-held mission of the NAIA is to promote the education and development of well-rounded students and productive citizens through intercollegiate athletics. The Association offers equitable access and opportunities for participation in its 23 national championship events held annually throughout the country.

Today, the NAIA strengthens its commitment to student-athletes and strives to enrich their college experience by supporting academic achievement and character development. NAIA Champions of Character is the association's innovative flagship program designed to instill character values in student-athletes, coaches and youth in the communities it serves. To learn more visit http://www.naia.org/.