NAIA Announces Two New Member Institutions
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) is excited to announce the addition of two new members, Mount Mary University (Wis.) and Trinity Western University (BC, Canada). The Council of Presidents voted to approve their membership on Sunday, October 6, at the annual fall meeting.
“The NAIA is pleased to welcome Mount Mary and Trinity Western as our newest members,” said NAIA President & CEO Jim Carr. “These institutions exemplify a strong commitment to character-driven athletics and will enrich our association with their distinctive contributions.”
Mount Mary University is a private, all-women’s liberal arts institution located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Mount Mary is currently affiliated with the NCAA Division III and sponsors six women’s sports programs: basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, and volleyball. Mount Mary will become an active NAIA member in the fall of 2025 and is planning to join the Chicago Collegiate Athletic Conference.
”The NAIA serves the interests of small institutions like ours and is a perfect fit for us,” said Mount Mary University President Isabelle Cherney. “We will now be able to recruit student-athletes with scholarships, attracting new talent and improving the student-athlete and visitor experience. I anticipate an exciting new season with a fresh group of competitors, and above all, I am thrilled about the NAIA’s shared values of character-driven athletics.”
Trinity Western University is a private institution located in Langley, British Columbia, Canada. Trinity Western sponsors 13 sports, six of which will join the NAIA, including men’s and women’s cross country, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field. Trinity Western will become an active NAIA member in the fall of 2025 and is planning to join the Cascade Collegiate Conference.
“We are thankful for the thorough process laid out by the NAIA for us to join", said Trinity Western University Director of Athletics Jeff Gamache. “We will work hard to be a member that raises the level of competition while furthering the ideals of fair play and holistic development that NAIA holds dear.”
The NAIA has added 25 new members since 2020, including six institutions from the NCAA.
To become NAIA members, institutions must meet membership criteria that include financial stability, sports sponsorship, accreditation, and a commitment to character-driven athletics. Athletics facilities, enrollment numbers, retention rates, and overall financial commitment to athletics are also considered.
The NAIA reviews member applications in two cycles. Institutions can apply by April 15 to receive a decision in October or by October 15 to receive a decision in April.
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 83,000 student-athletes with opportunities to play college sports, earn $1.3 billion in scholarships and compete in 29 national championships. naia.org | @NAIA