HILLSBORO, Kan. - Tabor College Head Volleyball Coach Amy Ratzlaff  has been named the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference's 2010 Dr. LeRoy Walker Champions of Character recipient.

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.

"This award is truly an honor for me and a reflection on our program here at Tabor," said Ratzlaff. "I really feel blessed each day that God has called me to work at Tabor and I try my best to honor him through my work. This award is very humbling to me and I am very thankful to have worked with such great players and coaches throughout my career."

This past season Ratzlaff led the Bluejays to the KCAC regular season title with a record of 16-2, in league play and 20-11, overall before falling one game short of a national tournament berth. In her 11 seasons at the helm of the Tabor College volleyball program she has led the Bluejays to seven KCAC regular season titles, three KCAC tournament titles, and three national tournament appearances while compiling an overall record of 200-129.

The award is considered one of the most prominent honors in the NAIA as it recognizes a coach 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.

"Coach Amy Ratzlaff epitomizes what we are all about not only in the Tabor College athletic department but across the entire institution," said Vice President of Athletics Rusty Allen. "Her players are model students and impact our campus in extremely positive ways. This is all made possible because of the attitude of excellence Coach Ratzlaff instills. I cannot think of a person who embodies the NAIA Champion of Character values in more real ways than Coach Ratzlaff."