The Stay in Bounds program teaches some conventional messages in some unconventional ways. Talking to kids about sportsmanship, respect and honesty may be one thing, but holding their attention so that the messages sink is is another.

With Stay in Bounds, the talk sticks.

The character-education program piloted this year to Indianapolis schools is an education-based initiative for youngsters who learn through sports that there are boundaries in the way they play -- and in the way they live. They learn fundamental guidelines about respect, caring and responsibility and then experience the importance of those characteristics during an interactive session at the NCAA Hall of Champions.

The $4.5 million five-year pilot project was made possible by a $1.5 million grant from Lilly Endowment, Inc, an Indianapolis-based philanthropic foundation. The balance of the funding will come from foundations, corporations and individuals. Also, the NCAA will match 50 cents to every dollar donated with a maximum contribution of $1 million.

The mission of Stay in Bounds is to "build good character, foster responsible behavior and encourage enjoyment of healthy competition and cooperation."

During the 90-minute session at the Hall, student "teams" rotate through three activity stations that emphasize the journey of the student-athlete, the principles of respect and sportsmanship, and the diversity of the athletics endeavor. Participants also complete game-oriented workbooks. By the end of their field trip, students earn a certificate of completion, and a "Champions Club" membership card (which entitles them to a free future visit to the Hall).

More than that, though, they learn behaviors that may stay with them for the rest of their lives.

Hodgin said Stay in Bounds is an example of how character education is supposed to work. "Don Peslis, who is the director of the center for character development at Anderson University (Indiana), said that character education needs to be school-based but community-embraced," Hodgin said. "What the NCAA is doing in this case supports that concept. It shows that other organizations within the community have to reinforce and model those core moral values that are important for our young people to see and be expected to demonstrate themselves."

The Hall of Champions serves as an ideal stage for character education, since many exhibits reflect the kind of sportsmanship and ethical conduct embodied in student-athlete champions.

"Stay in Bounds organizers use 'teachable moments' in the Hall of Champions to reinforce sportsmanship-like behaviors," said Darrell Gordon, Stay in Bounds coordinator. "Many of the exhibits support sportsmanship values as it is. What better venue -- one in which our best student-athletes are shown as examples of success -- to teach kids how to be a champion on and off the field?"

Program organizers plan to expand Stay in Bounds to include more kids -- and more areas. Curricula for fifth and sixth graders, and for seventh and eighth graders currently are being developed, and more schools in Central Indiana are being asked to participate (eight already participated in the pilot program).

Hodgin thinks word of the program's success will spread quickly.

"If schools already have a character-education program, then Stay in Bounds is a nice enhancement or reinforcement activity," he said. "And if they don't, then Stay in Bounds provides motivation for them to think about how they can implement one."