Westmont's Russell Smelley was honored today as the 2015 NAIA Coach of Character award winner at the NAIA National Convention. The NAIA Coach of Character award is given annually to an NAIA head coach who has embraced the five core values of the NAIA Champions of Character program, demonstrated through sport and instilled a culture of community leadership through volunteering or service. Since 1979, Smelley has served as the head coach of Westmont's Track and Field and Cross Country teams. As the Coach of Character recipient, Smelley was honored as "the epitome of the Coach of Character award; he believes that coaches have the unique opportunity to help develop the character and resilience of their athletes."