Each year, the Orange Empire Conference names one male and female student athlete from each member college to the Character Champion Team while naming overall winners of the Character Champion Award. The award is given to the student athlete who displays the following values; sportsmanship, respect, caring, fairness, civility, honesty, integrity and responsibility shown through a specific action, ideally directed toward an opponent during competition. The criteria also includes the action of putting the team and teammates before oneself while acting as a positive role model. The inaugural award was given out following the 2009-10 academic year. Since its inception, the OEC Character Champion Award has been sponsored by Fair-Play Scoreboards. 

For the 2013-14 seasons, Omar Castro of Cypress College was named the Male Character Champion and Marisa Doran of Irvine Valley College was named the Female Character Champion. The complete 2013-14 Character Champion Team can be viewed below.

Castro was selected as the OEC's Male Character Champion for his commitment to his team even after suffering a season-ending injury as a member of the Chargers soccer team. Castro remained with his team and established himself as a leader from the sideline, attending every practice and game to support his teammates.

His dedication to his team and teammates was never more apparent then when he provided a loan to a teammate to ensure that he could continue attending Cypress College. Castro found a way to help his teammate even while having to work to help support his mother and younger brother.

Castro eventually returned to the field and earned a scholarship to attend Cal Poly Pomona to continue his academic career as well as his soccer career.

Doran was selected as the OEC's Female Character Champion after displaying her ability to juggle school, indoor and sand volleyball, as well as community service. As a pre-med student, Doran has volunteered at the Children's Hospital of Orange County in the patient hospitality area.

Doran was also recently accepted into the clinical care internship program at Hoag Hospital, a position she will add to her current volunteer work and school obligations. All of this is in addition to the time she spends as a volunteer with the City of Tustin, where she works with volleyball camps and clinics.

2013-14 Orange Empire Conference Character Champions