The Houghton Athletics Department believes in the character-building power of sport.

Houghton was one of the 13 original schools chosen to serve as a program center for the NAIA Champions of Character program, which empowers athletes, coaches, officials and fans to be role models for sportsmanship and fair play on the field (or court) and in our communities.

The Champions of Character program emphasizes character and integrity for college students and for younger student-athletes, coaches and parents in our communities.

Though Houghton is no longer a member of the NAIA, the university still abides by the program's five core values of respect, integrity, responsibility, servant leadership and sportsmanship. Now as a member of the Empire 8 Conference, Houghton has joined an organization that is on the leading edge of sportsmanship programming across the country. Empire 8 student-athletes and coaches are committed to "Compete with Honor and Integrity."

The Empire 8 has implemented extensive policies related to game conduct, and every conference coach is required to sign a Code of Conduct agreement.

At the conclusion of each sport's season, the conference also names one player from every team at each institution to its Sportman or Sportswoman of the Year teams.