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ASSOCIATION STATISTICS
NAIA
NCAA DIVISION II
NCAA DIVISION III
Colleges & Universities:..........................248 Colleges & Universities:....................314
Colleges & Universities..... 450
Average Enrollment:........................... 1,700
Average Enrollment:......................4,200
Average Enrollment..................2,600
Enrollment Range:..................201 to 50,394 Enrollment Range.............500 to 21,000
Enrollment Range........... 335 to 20,674
Average Percentage of Student Body Participating in Sports:.................15%
Average Percentage of Student
Body Participating in Sports:.......... 15%
Average Percentage of Student
Body Participating in Sports:............ 19%
Public/Private:........................... 81% private
Public/Private:..................... 50% private
Public/Private:........................80% private
Average Number of Sports.......................14
Average Number of Sports.................15
Average Number of Sports.................. 18
Number of National Championships.........23
Number of National Championships...25 Number of National Championships......28
% of student-athletes who participate in postseason.......................17%
% of student-athletes who
participate in postseason.................14%
% of student-athletes who
participate in postseason................... 10%
Median Total Expenses..............$4,336,521
with football; $2,335,161 without football.
Median Total Expenses........$5,260,000
with football; $4,014,000 without football Median Total Expenses.............$2,783,143
with football; $1,412,947 without football
Eligibility Center determinations
for first-time students..............................Yes
Eligibility Center determinations
for first-time students........................ Yes
Eligibility Center determinations
for first-time students.......................... No
NAIA’s own Champions of Character program reaches more than 187,000 non-NAIA students, coaches and parents
with its character message each year.
Partnership Make-Wish Foundation
fundraising $517,465 in 2013-14
Partnership with Special Olympics
Champions of Character Core Values: integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, servant leadership
Attributes: Learning, Service, Passion
Sportsmanship, Resourcefulness, Balance
Attributes: Proportion, Comprehensive,
Learning, Passion, Responsibility,
Sportsmanship, Citizenship
Student-Athletes: ..............................65,000Student-athletes:.......................109,070Student-athletes..........183,500
Source: NAIA Analytics Center; NCAA Recruiting Facts, August 2014
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics • 1200 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64106 • 816.595.8000 • NAIA.org
CHAMPIONS OF CHARACTER
For NAIA colleges and universities, ongoing character education
for student-athletes and coaches is a priority.
COMMITMENT TO CHARACTER
Since Champions of Character was launched in 2000, NAIAmember colleges and universities have made ongoing character education and professional development for coaches,
athletics administrative staff and student-athletes a priority.
The NAIA’s successful Character-Driven Coaching course was
launched in 2009. All NAIA coaches, including graduate assistants, are required to take the online course
within the first two months on the job. More
than 13,000 college, high school and youth
coaches have also taken the course.
In 2009, NAIA member colleges and universities committed to putting Champions of Character values into
play on both the field and in the stands. Hospitality and game
management of NAIA athletics events and conduct in competition are guided by Champions of Character principles. Today,
every school’s progress in pursuing character education is
tracked and recognized for achievements in training, promotion and conduct in competition.
The Champions of Character program
provides values-based training, so
student-athletes know, do and value the
right thing, on and off the field.
Champions of Character also reaches high school and youth
sports through its outreach activities conducted by member
schools and participants at NAIA national championship
events.
CHARACTER SCORECARD
The Champions of Character Scorecard measures each institution’s commitment to Champions of Character. Institutions
are recognized for a demonstrated commitment to Champions
of Character and earn points in character training, conduct
in competition, academic focus, character recognition and
character promotion and few to no ejections during competition throughout the course of the academic year.
LIVE 5 ONLINE TRAINING
The NAIA, the leader in character-driven
intercollegiate athletics, offers the only fouryear online character curriculum for student-athletes. The introductory course, Learn to Live 5, was
launched in 2013, and followed in 2014 with Master
the Fundamentals for sophomores, Live 5 and Lead for
juniors and Live 5 for Life for seniors. The programs focus
on modeling, leading and building values-based skills for
life after college.
The Champions of Character Live 5 series was developed
with specific learning outcomes and research-based curriculum intended to have a measurable impact on student
attitudes over time.
The 20-minute interactive programs are centered around
the Champions of Character Five Core Values — Integrity,
Respect, Responsibility, Sportsmanship and Servant Leadership —and how they’re applied on and off the field.
A key milestone for Champions of Character Live 5 is the
research-driven surveying of student-athletes to gauge the
impact of deliberately teaching character over time. The NAIA
is partnering with sports ethics and psychology professionals
from TrueCompetition.org in conducting the research.
COUNCIL FOR STUDENT-ATHLETES
The Council for Student-Athletes is charged with initiating
operational policies for the Champions of Character program
and conducting research and education that will benefit the
health, safety and development of NAIA student-athletes.
The council includes representatives from each governing
council including the Association of Student-Athletes. Through
incorporation of the ideals of Champions of Character, the
Council is committed to ensuring NAIA student-athletes train
and compete in a safe and healthy environment.
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics • 1200 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64106 • 816.595.8000 • NAIA.org
NAIA ELIGIBILITY CENTER
More than 25,000 students register each year to gain
exposure and an opportunity to play.
EXPOSURE & NATIONAL VISIBILITY
Since opening in 2010, the NAIA Eligibility Center has had
hundreds of thousands students register online providing
unprecedented visibility and awareness of the opportunities to
play intercollegiate sports at NAIA institutions. The exposure
gained from partnerships with major testing services and
the nation’s more than 20,000 high schools has allowed the
center to become a platform for reaching high school studentathletes, their families and coaches on a national scale.
LEVEL PLAYING FIELD
NAIA rules help ensure that NAIA student-athletes compete
against students with similar levels of training and competitive
experience. The NAIA Eligibility Center reviews the experiences of athletes who have competed outside the traditional
college setting to maintain a level playing field throughout
NAIA competition. Coaches know that the rules are applied
consistently to every student, every time.
FOCUS ON THE STUDENT-ATHLETE
& CUSTOMER SERVICE
■■ With NAIA rules, prospective students don’t have to worry
about navigating a complex web of eligibility and recruiting
contact rules. High school students have three academic
eligibility criteria to focus on. If a student meets two of
the criteria, then the student is eligible upon high school
graduation:
• Cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Class rank in the top 50% of graduating class
• ACT of 18 or SAT of 860 Critical Reading and Math
The NAIA Eligibility Center provides
initial eligibility determinations,
working with integrity to apply NAIA
rules and provide quality customer
service for students, parents and
NAIA membership.
■■ Registering with the NAIA Eligibility Center is straight forward.
It takes only a few minutes for firsttime NAIA students to sign up.
■■ High academic performers in high school
can even receive a final eligibility determination before high school graduation, if they meet
a higher GPA standard and have qualifying test
scores.
■■ The fee to register is $75 for high school students,
and for students with demonstrated need, a fee waiver
system is in place.
■■ The PlayNAIA.org website is a one-stop shop for all work
related to the NAIA Eligibility Center for students, NAIA
members, and high school counselors. Students can
track their progress online or through their mobile phones.
NAIA coaches can easily monitor their recruits through
the registration process through their school’s PlayNAIA
Manager web access.
INCRED: STREAMLINING FOR
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
With its extensive experience in conducting credential evaluations of international student academic records, the NAIA
Eligibility Center now offers InCred, a service for international
students that combines the reviews for both admissions and
athletic eligibility into one, cost-effective process.
InCred is a one-stop for international students to consolidate the admissions, transfer credit evaluation and eligibility process, saving students time and money through the
submission of electronic international records. International
student-athletes receive a quality credential evaluation on
par with AACRAO and industry standards. InCred is the only
international credential evaluation that provides consistency
between the athlete’s NAIA Eligibility Center review and a
credential evaluation
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics • 1200 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64106 • 816.595.8000 • NAIA.org
ENROLLMENT TRENDS
Student-athlete participation and overall enrollment growth in the NAIA
outpaces both NCAA Division II and III over the past five years.
ENROLLMENT – AGGREGATED BY ASSOCIATION
2009-10
2010-11
2011-12
2012-13
2013-14
5-Yr. Change
NAIA
390,243
422,672
443,012
448,523
449,422 15%
NCAA D-II
1,116,705
1,146,447
1,156,847
1,153,298
1,141,776 2%
NCAA D-III
1,077,511
1,086,325
1,091,987
1,095,819
1,091,637 1%
ENROLLMENT – INSTITUTION AVERAGES
2009-10
2010-11
2011-12
2012-13
2013-14
NAIA
1,599
1,718
1,794
1,801
1,776 5-Yr. Change
12%
NCAA D-II
3,637
3,747
3,781
3,769
3,731 3%
NCAA D-III
2,559
2,599
2,619
2,609
2,599 2%
STUDENT ATHLETE PARTICIPATION – AGGREGATED BY ASSOCIATION
2009-10
2010-11
2011-12
2012-13
2013-14
5-Yr. Change
NAIA
52,221
54,877
58,031
63,976
61,440 18%
NCAA D-II
96,028
98,096
101,536
107,963
95,986 0%
NCAA D-III
162,054
165,797
169,241
177,146
152,306 -6%
STUDENT-ATHLETE PARTICIPATION – INSTITUTION AVERAGES
2009-10
2010-11
2011-12
2012-13
2013-14
NAIA
213
223
235
257
244
5-Yr. Change
15%
NCAA D-II
315
323
333
354
313
-1%
NCAA D-III
382
394
403
420
363
-5%
Calculations are based on association membership as of 2013-14. Institutions that changed affiliations are included in data
for their designated 2013-14 affiliation for all years. Source: Institutional data reported to IPEDs/EADA from 2009-10 through
2013-14.
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics • 1200 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64106 • 816.595.8000 • NAIA.org
FINANCIAL AID
You create an athletics program to fit your mission and budget.
FINANCIAL AID
In the NAIA each sport has an upper limit for the amount of
institutional aid allowed per school. The school may choose
to divide the scholarships up*, so long as the total does not
exceed the limit for the sport. Limits for each sport are as
follows:
Baseball........................................................... 12
Basketball DI................................................... 11
Basketball DII.................................................... 6
Competitive Cheer & Dance — Cheer . ..........12
Competitive Cheer & Dance — Dance............10
Cross Country.................................................... 5
Football............................................................ 24
Golf.................................................................... 5
Indoor & Outdoor Track & Field.....................12
Soccer.............................................................. 12
Softball............................................................ 10
Swimming and Diving....................................... 8
Tennis................................................................ 5
Volleyball........................................................... 8
Wrestling........................................................... 8
* The total amount of scholarship money a team has available
to it is equal to (the average cost of attendance at the school)
multiplied by (the above limit for scholarships). The team/
athletic department may then divide that total amount of
money amongst varsity team members however it chooses.
For example, if the average cost of attendance per year is
$10,000 at an NAIA school, then the tennis team would have
$50,000 total to distribute to varsity tennis players. One player
may be taking an overload of classes, and the total cost of attendance for that player is $12,000. If the team wanted to give
that player a full ride, the player would cost the team 1.2 of
their tennis scholarships. Or, the team could decide to provide
10 varsity players with flat scholarships of $5,000 each.
Institutional aid is considered anything
funded, controlled or allocated by the
institution, regardless of its original source
(e.g., private scholarships, athletic scholarships,
academic scholarships and work study count toward
team aid limits). However, academically gifted students
can be exempted from these limits if they meet grade or
test score criteria established by the NAIA. Those criteria
include:
■■ Continuing students with a 3.6 cumulative GPA or who
are in the top 10% of their class (100% of aid exempt)
■■ Continuing students with a 3.3 – 3.59 cumulative GPA or
who are in the upper 11% - 25% of their class (50% of aid
exempt)
■■ Aid to entering freshmen exempt if the student achieves
one of the following:
• 1050 SAT or 23 ACT = 50% of aid exempt; 1200
SAT or 27 ACT = 100% of aid exempt; or
• Cumulative high school GPA of 3.50 – 3.74 = 50%
of aid exempt; 3.75 – 4.0 = 100% of aid exempt; or
• High school class rank in the top 11% - 25% =
50% of aid exempt;
Multi-sport athletes will automatically have their aid equally
divided by sport. An NAIA school is able divide the student’s
aid if the student participates in varsity sports sponsored by
either the NAIA or the NCAA. Case examples:
■■ Student participates in football and outdoor track = aid is
equally divided
■■ Student participates in swimming/diving and varsity water
polo (NCAA sport) = aid is equally divided
■■ Student participates in cross country and varsity curling
(not NAIA or NCAA sport) = all aid counted toward cross
country limits
Aid to students who play at the junior varsity level does not
count in the overall limits.
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics • 1200 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64106 • 816.595.8000 • NAIA.org
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION GUIDE
Thank you for your interest in the National Association of
Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). NAIA membership is available
to colleges and universities that meet established criteria and
adhere to the overall mission and beliefs of the close to 300
institutions from across North America.
The membership application process allows the NAIA to learn
more about your institution’s athletics philosophy and operations
and, in turn, permits you to become familiar with the NAIA mission, structure, operating policies and legislative requirements.
We believe that by completing this process, a prospective
member institution can conduct a meaningful assessment of its
interest in, and readiness to join, the association.
NAIA membership applications are considered once a year at
the April Council of Presidents meeting held during the NAIA
Annual convention in April. The annual submission deadline is
October 1 for consideration at the following April’s meeting. Applications and the $7,500 application fee are submitted to NAIA,
1200 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64106.
Prior to December 1, the NAIA membership committee will
review all applications to determine whether a campus visit
will be granted. If approved, a campus visit will be conducted
by a peer-review team of campus administrators from NAIA
institutions in your region. The campus visit is an important part
of the application process, affording opportunities for face-toface discussions in advance of a membership decision. Written
recommendations of the team are given significant weight by
the Council of Presidents during final review of an institution’s
membership application.
Following is a complete guide to the application process. The
NAIA is committed to helping your institution make a well-informed decision, and we look forward to talking with you further
concerning NAIA membership. As questions arise, please feel
free to contact me.
Kevin Dee
Vice President for Campus and Conference Initiatives
816-595-8000; [email protected]
Julie McCollum
Director of Membership Sales & Service
816-595-8000; [email protected]
APPLICATION PROCESS
Institutions that have expressed interest in NAIA membership are assigned a
liaison from the National Office who works
with other NAIA members in your area and
maintains close contact with key conference and
campus administrators. Your liaison guides you
through the application process and provides easy access to the necessary forms and instructions.
Formal application for NAIA membership requires submission of
the following materials to the National Office by Oct. 1:
■■ NAIA Membership Application form
■■ Institutional mission statement
■■ Student enrollment profile including graduation and retention
rates
■■ Most recent regional accreditation review documentation
(including self-study report, team response and agency’s
determination status)
■■ Copies of key institutional publications (catalog, student
handbook, athletics policies)
■■ Financial documentation including current budget for athletics, by sport; independently audited financial statements
including revenues and expenditures and management letter
for the institution as a whole for the two most recent fiscal
years
■■ Strategic plan for intercollegiate athletics
■■ Current and projected sports sponsorship information
■■ $7,500 application fee, which is used to offset expenses for
a required campus evaluation visit by NAIA administrators
from your area. If a campus visit is not approved by the
membership committee, a refund of $6,000 will be returned.
PROCESS TIMELINE
Oct. 1 ............Applications due to the NAIA National Office.
By Dec. 1.......Institution is notified of the decision for
a campus visit.
January..........Webinar conducted.
By March 1....Membership Evaluation Team visits campus.
April...............COP meeting Institution is notified of the
......................decision within 10 days.
Aug. 1............If approved, membership becomes effective on
this date in the same year. Documentation is
required immediately using NAIAHelp.
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics • 1200 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64106 • 816.595.8000 • NAIA.org
PRE-VISIT WEBINAR
In January, a pre-visit webinar will be conducted to introduce
your staff to NAIA athletics administration, competition and
legislative compliance. Your NAIA National Office liaison will
contact you to arrange the webinar and visit dates.
CAMPUS VISIT
No later than March 1 members of an NAIA Membership
Evaluation Team (MET) will visit your campus. The campus visit
allows the MET and Council of Presidents to learn more about
your institution and make an educated decision concerning your
institution’s application. More importantly, the campus visit presents a unique opportunity for your institution to learn firsthand
about the NAIA structure from current NAIA administrators and
faculty members.
TYPICAL CAMPUS VISIT AGENDA
9-9:45 a.m. — Campus Tour: The athletics director and representatives of the institution lead MET members on a campus tour,
with emphasis on athletics facilities, student academic centers,
dormitories and administrative offices.
10-11 a.m. — Opening Session: Senior campus administrators, selected faculty and athletics department staff members and coaches
share information concerning the institution’s application, campus
operations, and current and future plans for intercollegiate athletics.
11:15-11:45 a.m. — Senior Administration: The institution’s chief
executive officer and MET president and chair exchange information about athletics philosophy on campus and in the NAIA, issues
of institutional control, budgetary and financial issues, studentathlete experience and long-range plans for the institution and
athletics.
11:15-11:45 a.m. — Administration and Competition: Members of
the institution’s athletics administration and coaching staff meet
with the MET athletics director for a discussion of athletics (and, if
applicable, conference) administration, qualification for postseason
play, student-athlete experience, and selected NAIA rules.
11:15-11:45 a.m. — Legislation and Compliance: Key campus
faculty and administrators involved in certifying initial and continuing eligibility meet with the evaluation team’s faculty athletics
representative to discuss campus responsibilities for rules
compliance, internal lines of communication, legislative process,
treatment of potential rules violations and eligibility appeals. Those
in attendance also discuss NAIA eligibility and financial aid rules.
1:15-1:45 p.m. — Student-Athletes: All enrolled student-athletes
are invited to attend an informal session with all MET members
to discuss NAIA athletics and championships experiences, Champions of Character, and basic eligibility and financial aid rules.
2-2:45 p.m. — Wrap-up Session
The Membership Evaluation Team includes:
■■ NAIA National Office liaison
■■ Member of the NAIA Council of Presidents (or another ceo)
from your area
■■ NAIA athletics director from an institution near you
■■ NAIA institutional faculty athletics representative or conference eligibility chair, or registrar from a nearby institution or
conference
The campus visit is usually completed in one day and includes
a variety of opportunities for campus staff to interact informally
with MET members.
EVALUATION TEAM’S RECOMMENDATION
After the campus visit, the Membership Evaluation Team,
including the Membership Committee, confers by phone conference and prepares a formal written report and team recommendation. Your institution will receive written confirmation once
the team’s deliberations are complete, and the team will identify
any areas of concern or additional information needed. Your
institution’s complete application materials and the evaluation
team’s campus visit report recommendations are then sent to
all members of the NAIA Council of Presidents for review during
the April meeting. A majority vote of the Council determines
membership. Institutions are notified formally of the decision
within 10 days. If approved, membership is effective Aug.1 the
same year.
PREPARING FOR ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP
If membership is approved, your NAIA National Office liaison
will host a new member orientation conference call with your
staff to review the next steps.
■■ The NAIA National Office will work with your institution to
prepare press releases on the NAIA website and to selected
media outlets.
■■ Summit America Insurance representatives will contact you
concerning enrollment in the required NAIA catastrophic
insurance program.
■■ Your institution will receive an invoice for the first year’s
membership dues.
■■ Student-athletes who you are currently recruiting must
register with the NAIA Eligibility Center to have their initial
eligibility determined.
■■ Your institution needs to be prepared to submit a variety
of eligibility and compliance documentation for the coming
academic year. Some information is due immediately after
membership approval and is submitted through the NAIAHelp online reporting system. Most eligibility forms are due
before competition begins, but it is highly recommended
they be submitted as soon as possible.
■■ NAIA liaisons will assist new members with obtaining NAIAHelp passwords, website orientation and reminders about
the documentation and deadlines.
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics • 1200 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64106 • 816.595.8000 • NAIA.org
MEMBERSHIP BASICS
MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY
Active membership in the NAIA is open to four-year colleges
and universities and upper-level, two-year institutions in the
United States and Canada that award the bachelor’s (baccalaureate) degree, or its equivalent. Institutions in the U.S.
must be fully accredited by one of the six regional accrediting
bodies; Canadian institutions must have accreditation from the
Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada. Associate
membership is accorded to institutions that meet the criteria
but do not hold full membership in one of the accrediting
bodies or to institutions that hold full accreditation but are classified as developing athletic programs.
SPORTS SPONSORSHIP
NAIA institutions must sponsor a minimum of six NAIA
championship sports no later than the beginning of the fourth
full academic year of active NAIA membership. Single-gender
institutions must sponsor a minimum of three NAIA championship sports no later than the beginning of the fourth full
academic year of active NAIA membership. Affiliated NAIA
conferences often have more strict sponsorship requirements.
Institutions in the process of building sports programs have
the option of sponsoring an intercollegiate sport and opting out
of NAIA championships on a year-by-year basis. This affords
the institution scheduling advantages and requires application
of NAIA rules for participating student-athletes in that sport.
MEMBERSHIP COSTS
The NAIA has a one-time membership application fee.
Annual costs for NAIA membership include membership dues,
conference membership or independent dues, statistical software fees, student-athlete drug education fees and required
catastrophic injury insurance. (The NAIA’s catastrophic injury
insurance program is administered by Summit America Insurance Co.; premiums vary annually and by sport.)
ATHLETIC GRANTS
The NAIA has maximum institutional
aid limits for each varsity sport, but
those do not apply to junior varsity. Some
or all of the institutional aid awarded to individual student-athletes may be exempted based
on their academic performance.
ATHLETIC FACILITIES
Playing rules for each sport may stipulate facility or
playing field dimensions or standards. The membership evaluation process may take into consideration the
quality of current athletics facilities and feasibility of planned
improvements.
CONFERENCES
The NAIA has 21 conferences including the Association of
Independent Institutions. Conference membership offers
scheduling benefits, cost-effective post season opportunities
and an environment to build relationships and rivalries with
other institutions. It is recommended that prospective members engage in a discussion with potential conferences.
NAIA ELIGIBILITY CENTER
All first-time NAIA student-athletes must register with the NAIA
Eligibility Center to have their academic and athletic eligibility
determined. Ongoing eligibility is managed at the
institution.
MEMBERSHIP PROCESS
Applications are considered once a year and must be received in the NAIA National Office by October 1.
If a campus visit is approved by the NAIA membership committee, the final evaluation and recommendation is presented
to the Council of Presidents at its annual meeting the following April.
If accepted, membership begins August 1; however, a oneyear waiting period is required before new members are
eligible for championships selection.
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics • 1200 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64106 • 816.595.8000 • NAIA.org
YOUR PARTNER FOR GROWTH
Dedicated to being your partner today and into the future.
NAIA OFFERS
■■ A cost-effective approach to athletics — our average
athletics expenditures are roughly half those of NCAA
Division II.
■■ High-caliber competition at a reasonable cost — top
performing programs spend 35% less than Division II to be
successful.
■■ Autonomy with much less bureaucracy, and
■■ A partnership in driving enrollment and growth that is
unique in intercollegiate athletics.
In the past five years, student-athlete participation has grown
30% in the NAIA, outpacing growth of NCAA Division II at
16%; overall enrollment of member schools has increased by
17% vs. the 8% pace of Division II.
MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER
The NAIA is dedicated to being your partner today – and long
into the future. That’s why the NAIA is assisting our members
with initiatives that increase the awareness of the NAIA to help
The NAIA was the first to
■■ hold a national championship basketball
tournament that continues today as the
longest running of its kind.
■■ include historically African-American
institutions
■■ offer national championships for both
both men and women
■■ emphasize character as a way to improve
the culture of sport
■■ host events where prospective student-athletes show their skills in front of NAIA coaches
with the potential to earn scholarships.
them attract quality young people for your
athletics programs and admissions office.
It starts with our NAIA Sports Showcases where
prospective student-athletes show their skills in
front of NAIA coaches to earn scholarships. The NAIA
is the only college athletics association that offers official events with skills assessments and coaches on-site,
where student-athletes and their parents can connect
with NAIA schools. In addition, these events emphasize
collaboration between athletics and admissions, so students
and coaches can find the right fit.
In the next two years, NAIA members will add nearly 200
sports teams in both championship and emerging sports such
as bowling. Whenever new generations want the competitive
experience, the NAIA will be there with opportunities to play.
THE RESULT?
■■ Freedom to construct athletic programs within your mission and budget.
■■ Improved recruitment and retention.
■■ Stronger bottom lines.
LEADER IN CHARACTER EDUCATION
■■ We’re the leader in what’s best about sports — building
character on and off the field. Character education and
professional development for coaches, staff and studentathletes are priorities.
■■ Our innovative Champions of Character Live5 program is
the only online character training specifically for studentathletes.
■■ 13,500+ college, high school and youth coaches have
taken our Character-Driven Coaching course.
■■ 32,000+ NAIA student-athletes have completed the online
Learn to Live 5 course.
■■ Our commitment to hospitality and game management
on the field and in the stands has reduced ejections in all
sports by 19% in the past three years.
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics • 1200 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64106 • 816.595.8000 • NAIA.org
RECRUITING & NAIA SHOWCASE
NAIA rules allow contact and mentoring that foster
recruitment and retention.
RECRUITING
In the NAIA, the rules for recruiting are very different from other associations. Being able to develop personal relationships
is a hallmark of the NAIA and part of the philosophy behind
NAIA recruiting rules. NAIA recruiting rules don’t restrict when
or how often the student and college coaches can communicate. This way, students can fully explore what NAIA schools
have to offer them both athletically and academically.
The NAIA has no recruiting calendar. Students and coaches
can communicate year-round. There is also no limit to the
number of communications or how the communication takes
place. The student’s family and the coach set the terms for
communicating – not the NAIA.
Students are permitted two days of try-outs at each NAIA
member school. The two days do not have to be consecutive,
and the student may be provided lodging, meals, etc. if the
same would be provided to non-athletes trying out for other
programs at the school.
Students have the opportunity to play,
learn and lead.
Coaches value a culture that allows
mentoring relationships.
NAIA SPORT SHOWCASE
The NAIA is the only college athletics
association that offers official events for prospective student-athletes to showcase their skills
on the field in front of NAIA coaches. Showcases
are important vehicles for building awareness of the
NAIA, its institutions and
their athletics and academic
programs.
An individual sport showcase is
a one-day event where high school and junior college studentathletes can not only perform but learn about the NAIA, its
recruiting and eligibility rules and meet with NAIA coaches.
Now in its third year, the NAIA Showcases have directly
connected more than 2,000 prospective students and their
parents with NAIA coaches. Presentations on NAIA character
initiatives and opportunities to visit with admissions representatives from NAIA schools are included at every Showcase.
In 2015, 180 coaches representing 60 NAIA schools met with
participants during the seven events. Those coaches reported
making 147 on-site offers to participants during the Showcase
events in football, baseball, men’s and women’s basketball,
and men’s and women’s soccer. Learn more at NAIAShowcase.com
Leaders see the benefits of athletics
at a reasonable cost.
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics • 1200 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64106 • 816.595.8000 • NAIA.org
CHAMPIONSHIPS &
SPORT SPONSORSHIP
17% of NAIA student-athletes have the opportunity
to participate in postseason.
CHAMPIONSHIP SPORTS
The NAIA sponsors 23 national championship sports for men
and women. Championship sports require 40 sponsoring
institutions. National Championships are administered by the
NAIA National Office.
FALL
Men’s Cross Country
Women’s Cross Country
Football
Men’s Soccer
Women’s Soccer
Volleyball
WINTER
Men’s Basketball
Women’s Basketball
Men’s Swimming & Diving
Women’s Swimming & Diving
Men’s Indoor Track & Field
Women’s Indoor Track & Field
SPRING
Baseball
Men’s Golf
Women’s Golf
Softball
Men’s Tennis
Women’s Tennis
Men’s Outdoor Track & Field
Women’s Outdoor Track & Field
INVITATIONAL
Competitive Cheer & Dance
Men’s Lacrosse
Women’s Lacrosse
Men’s Volleyball
EMERGING
Men’s Bowling
Women’s Bowling
Teams directly qualify for the national championship through
their conference – regular-season championship, postseason
tournament champion and runner-up. The number of automatic berths from a specific conference is determined by the
total number of conference schools participating in the sport.
Direct qualification gives every conference an opportunity
to have representation at the national championship. The
remainder of the championship field is made up of at-large
selections, typically the top-ranked teams that did not qualify
through automatic qualification.
Soccer, Volleyball, Baseball and Softball all have “opening
rounds” as part of the national championship. These events
are usually held at campus sites. Any NAIA institution can
bid to host an opening round, with preference given to the
top-ranked teams.
SPORTS SPONSORSHIP
OPPORTUNITIES
For NAIA member schools, adding new varsity
and junior varsity sports means opportunities to
attract more students to campus. In addition to offering
23 national championship sports, the NAIA works to
identify new sports for their potential to become widely
adopted by membership and to establish a national championship in that sport.
Competitive Cheer and Dance, for example, is in its second
year of invitational status in preparation for becoming a championship sport as early as 2017. Men’s and women’s lacrosse,
and men’s volleyball are first-year invitational sports. Men’s
and women’s bowling has emerging sport status.
At the campus level, the NAIA National Office provides
customized resources for members to investigate the potential
for adding sports not currently sponsored by the institution.
The program includes support from a network of peer experts
within membership.
Students have the opportunity to play,
learn and lead.
Coaches value a culture that allows
mentoring relationships.
Leaders see the benefits of athletics
at a reasonable cost.
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics • 1200 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64106 • 816.595.8000 • NAIA.org
WHY CHOOSE THE NAIA?
Factor in the NAIA’s strong level of competition and the ability to align your
athletics programs with your institution’s mission, and you’ll soon realize:
the NAIA just fits.
WHO WE ARE
We are a governing body of small college athletics programs,
dedicated to enhancing the character-building aspects of
sports and driving enrollment through athletics. Founded in
1937, we have a long and illustrious history of promoting opportunities to play while pursuing a college education.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
Student-athletes are at the center of our association. Their
needs and ambitions guide our decisions, and we respond
with initiatives to assist them in becoming quality, characterdriven adults.
WHAT WE ARE
As a member of the NAIA, you’ll be a part of an organization dedicated to enhancing the student-athlete experience
through quality competition, character-training and more
opportunities to participate in national championships. We
offer services and support as member institutions expand their
sports offerings and attract quality student-athletes to their
campuses.
250+ Member Schools
65,000 Student Athletes
21 Conferences
Growing Athletic Participation
Reasonable Cost to Administer
Top Programs Spend Half of NCAA Dll
Emerging Sports Growth Opportunities
Character Emphasis Drives Decisions
YOU CREATE AN ATHLETICS
PROGRAM TO FIT YOUR
MISSION AND BUDGET
The NAIA is a membership-driven association
where the size and scope of your athletics programs
are determined by YOU. This gives you the ability to
carry out your mission and values without mandated
requirements that significantly increase your costs.
A COMMUNITY COMMITTED TO CHARACTER
The Champions of Character program is an integral part of
our members’ collective commitment to positively influence young people in their athletic and personal lives. This
emphasis on character sets the NAIA apart and is reinforced
both on and off the field with ongoing training for coaches and
student-athletes.
RULES THAT ALLOW MENTORING
OPPORTUNITIES TO FOSTER
RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION
In the NAIA, we believe in and support our coaches to positively influence the lives of young people. That’s why our more
reasonable rules allow contact and interaction that foster positive relationships, so the student-athlete and the institution
find the best fit for recruitment and retention success.
INITIATIVES TO HELP ADVANCE
ENROLLMENT THROUGH ATHLETICS
We know that athletics can play a key part in your enrollment
strategy, and that’s where the NAIA approach works. The option to offer junior varsity programs creates more opportunities
for students to participate. We are expanding beyond our 23
national championships by targeting new sports that prospective students want to play. We’re also engaged in initiatives
to improve the national awareness of our institutions among
young recruits to help your coaches find quality studentathletes who fit your programs.
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics • 1200 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64106 • 816.595.8000 • NAIA.org