You Have a Voice
Celebrating Women's History
The NAIA is committed to the advocacy of underrepresented groups, including women and minorities. In 2021, the NAIA passed legislation that all NAIA governing bodies must include a woman and a minority representative, allowing more diverse voices to be heard across the association.
Joining the NAIA RISE committee has allowed me to use my voice and it's been a welcoming opportunity."
- Tonia Walker, Bluefield (Va.) VP for Intercollegiate Athletics
In their Own Words
We asked our student-athletes to tell us about the women that inspired them in life and in athletics.
Ilise Jennings, Dickinson State (N.D.)
Jet Taylor, Eastern Oregon
Morgan Hernandez, Dickinson State (N.D.)
Peru State (Neb.) Women's Golf Team
Peru State (Neb.) Softball Team
Vanessa Franke, Northwest (Wash.)
Zuzanna Lobos, Dickinson State (N.D.)
Celebrating the Voice of our Coaches
Our NAIA coaches are the nucleus to all of our student-athletes. During Women's History Month, we are featuring a few NAIA trailblazers to learn about the women that influenced their careers and inspired them to get where they are today. Hear their 'why'...
IN THE NEWS
Brescia University Makes History, Hires New Head Men’s Basketball Coach
Brescia University has announced their new Athletic Director and Head Men’s Basketball coach, Sarah Gayler. Gayler is the first female to be named as the Head Men’s Basketball Coach in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, or NAIA, history.
Giving RISE to Change
Developing new positions to make a change
NAIA adds dedicated NAIA RISE Intern
Hannah Lord joined the NAIA in October 2021 as the NAIA's NAIA RISE Intern. Hannah is currently in graduate school at Dickinson State University (N.D.) and is using her last season of eligibility playing volleyball while working on her master's in teaching and athletic educational leadership. Hannah previously played volleyball at Northwest University (Wash.) where she earned her BA and Masters in Business.
Hannah has been assisting the NAIA RISE committee, which focuses on driving NAIA's DEI strategic pillar. She assists all committee members, attends NAIA RISE meetings, and has been working on several projects, including using TikTok to incorporate our student-athletes across the US featuring our athletics and how they are being inclusive.
NAIA R.I.S.E.
Respect, Inclusivity, Support, Education
The NAIA has long been a leader in positive change regarding social issues. As an athletic organization that was first to offer opportunities to women and to African Americans, we can be proud of our strong history of advocacy.
It is time for the NAIA to once again take the lead. With over 83,000 student-athletes, we can be a force in the fight against the inequality and injustice against people of color in our country.
Women's Flag Football is on the rise and the women at Ottawa University are helping to lay the foundation for the next generation.
FEATURE:
Cottey College's President Weitzl retires
This year, Dr. Jann Rudd Weitzel will retire as president of Cottey College (Mo.). Dr. Weitzel has been a vital part of the NAIA, serving as a member of the Council of Presidents, a member of the Executive Committee of the COP, and a member of the audit committee.
"As an organization that values respect, inclusivity, support, and education, it is vital that the NAIA strive for representation of diverse populations on its Councils, and I applaud the leadership of NAIA for taking positive strides to continue that important work."
Title IX: Voice of Change
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Title IX of the Education Amendments, the federal law that prohibits gender discrimination in educational programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. Husch Blackwell, the official law firm sponsor of the NAIA, provides a range of services related to Title IX compliance and training for higher education institutions.
NAIA's History of Firsts
- 1980 –NAIA becomes the first collegiate athletics association to sponsor both men's and women's championships by adding nine women’s championships.
- 1988 – Phyllis Holmes made history as the first woman to be elected NAIA President.
- 2014 – Lori Thomas becomes commissioner of the Heart of America Athletic Conference, making her the first female commissioner in NAIA history.
- 2015 - Donnita Drain-Rogers of Langston University (Okla.) becomes the first female athletics director in the NAIA to oversee an athletic department with football.
- 2016 – Competitive Cheer & Dance added as national championships; becoming the first collegiate organization to sponsor a national championship in this sport.
- 2020 – The NAIA partners with the NFL to add Women's Flag Football as the newest emerging sport, making it the first women's flag football competition governed by a collegiate athletics association.
- 2021 – Cindy Potter becomes the first NAIA woman to become CoSIDA president.
- 2021 – NAIA passes legislation that all governing bodies must include a woman and a minority representative, allowing more diverse voices to be heard across the association.
