NAIA’s Coach of Character Laurel Awarded to Bentley

Oskaloosa--A national committee has agreed that the reach of William Penn Head Men's Volleyball Coach Luke Bentley goes well beyond the wins as he was named the 2024 NAIA Coach of Character Monday.

Bentley, who wrapped up his fifth season as head coach of the Statesmen, took WPU to the NAIA National Championship semifinals back in April.  Through five campaigns, he owns a 79-58 record and has guided the navy and gold to one conference regular season crown and two NAIA Nationals appearances.

Bentley has been steadfast in his commitment to the NAIA's Champions of Character program, which revolves around the five core values of Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Sportsmanship, and Servant Leadership.  In addition to a slew of individual awards athletically and academically, four of Bentley's squads have been named an NAIA Scholar Team and numerous individuals have been in leadership roles throughout William Penn's campus.  The 2024 Statesmen crew earned the Heart Musco Team Sportsmanship Award for men's volleyball as well.

Bentley's Statesmen squad embraces the term "wake." The NAIA's description of Bentley stated "Just as a boat leaves a wake of ripples in its path, Coach Bentley encourages every player to make positive impacts with their actions, leaving behind a lasting legacy.  Coach Bentley's "wake" philosophy has helped create a positive environment where players are held to the highest standard of conduct for themselves and their team."

Bentley, who was selected as the Heart of America Athletic Conference winner this summer, was chosen from a group of other conference winners.

"Winning this award is a great reflection on the people who have come through this program," Bentley said.  "We have been blessed with top-notch young men and coaches who all have left positive impacts on the people around them.  The character of our team is really what is being recognized here and I am very proud to be a part of that."

The NAIA Coach of Character recognition is the first ever for William Penn.