New Member Cycle Attracts Three Institutions

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Member News

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced that it has received three applications for membership as a part of its new summer membership cycle, which concluded on July 1. Iowa Wesleyan University, Louisiana College and Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (Ind.) submitted applications to become the newest NAIA institutions beginning in 2021.

Two of these institutions (Iowa Wesleyan and Louisiana College) are looking to make the transition from NCAA Division III as they have found a fit with the values and opportunities the NAIA presents. Campus visits are currently underway with the NAIA Membership Evaluation Teams and each will submit a final report and recommendation to the NAIA Membership Committee for review by the NAIA Council of Presidents (COP) on October 5.

“We are happy to welcome applications from these three institutions, two of which have come from the NCAA,” said Jim Carr, NAIA President and CEO. “Many schools are finding a home with the NAIA, and we expect that trend to continue as we continue to provide additional opportunities for small schools to thrive.”

On October 1, the NAIA expects five additional institutions to complete applications for admission. The October 1 deadline is the second of two membership cycles for the NAIA. Details on additional institutions that have made application to the association will be released at a later date.

ABOUT NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS (NAIA)

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., is a governing body of small athletics programs that are dedicated to character-driven intercollegiate athletics. NAIA members provide more than 77,000 student-athletes with opportunities to play college sports, earn $800 million in scholarships and compete in 27 national championships. naia.org | @NAIA