MALIK ASHFORD NAMED KCAC MALE CHAMPION OF CHARACTER OF THE YEAR

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Former Avila football standout Malik Ashford has been named the 2024-25 KCAC Male Student-Athlete Champion of Character of the Year, the conference announced today. 

This is the second-consecutive year in which an Avila student-athlete has taken home this honor, following baseball player Bryce Culp’s recognition for the 2023-24 academic year.

“I would like to thank the KCAC for this prestigious honor and recognition,” Ashford said. “I would also like to thank Avila University for being my home and the place where I was able to earn both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees. I strive to display character that others can look up to.”

In addition to earning his Master of Business Administration degree, Ashford mentored Avila student-athletes weekly and had a major impact in the Kansas City community, including serving Thanksgiving dinners to those in need as well as the food pantry at Testimony Church, and provided more than 100 backpacks to students at Truman Elementary School.

“Malik was an integral part of our football program on the field, but he was an even bigger part of it off the field, throughout our campus and in greater Kansas City community,” said Avila Athletic Director Shawn Summe. “To have this award speaks volumes to the man that Malik is and what he means to our university. This is an incredibly prestigious honor and we are so proud of the hard work he put into this.”

Ashford, a two-time Avila football captain, finished his academic career with a 3.10 cumulative GPA, won the 2024-25 Avila Athletics Leadership Award and was a National Strength and Conditioning Association All-American.

“I am incredibly proud of Malik and this is a tremendous honor for him and our program,” said Avila head football coach Derrick Alexander. “Malik was such a big part of our program last season and will continue to be this upcoming year. No one is more deserving than he is and this is a great recognition of all of his hard work.”