NAIA independent schools

For schools that are independent in football only, see NAIA independent football schools.

Continental Athletic Conference

Formerly	Association of Independent Institutions (2008–2021)
Association	National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)
Founded	2008 (as the AII)
Commissioner	Ted Breidenthal
Sports fielded	13 men's: 6 women's: 7
No. of teams	12 (10 in 2025)
Region	United States and Canada (British Columbia)
Official website	www.continentalathletics.com
Locations

NAIA independent schools are four-year institutional members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) that do not have formal conference affiliations. ^[1] NAIA schools that are not members of any other athletic conference are members of the Continental Athletic Conference (CAC), formerly the Association of Independent Institutions (AII), which provides member services to the institution and allows members to compete in postseason competition. The CAC has one member institution in Canada's British Columbia. It provides services to the member institutions that are not fitting in any other NAIA conference and allows members to compete in postseason competition. The AII renamed itself the Continental Athletic Conference at the end of June 2021, citing the need to identify as a proper conference. ^[2]

History

Chronological timeline

• 2008 – The Association of Independent Institutions (AII) was founded by a select group of independent universities and colleges that do not have formal conference affiliations and provide member services to the institutions and allows them to compete in postseason competition. Charter members included the University of Alberta, Allen University, Ave Maria University, Brescia University, the University of British Columbia, Crichton College (later Victory University), California State University San Marcos (Cal State–San Marcos), Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University at Arizona (Embry–Riddle at Arizona), Fisk University, Holy Cross College (Indiana), the University of Houston–Victoria (Houston–Victoria, UHV), Indiana University–Northwest (Indiana–Northwest), Johnson & Wales University–Denver, Johnson & Wales University–North Miami, Kentucky Christian University, Lambuth University, Life University, Louisiana State University at Alexandria (LSU–Alexandria), Marygrove College, Morris College, Mountain State University, Our Lady of the Lake University, Park University, Patten University, Philander Smith College (now Philander Smith University), the University of Regina, the College of Santa Fe, Simon Fraser University, Soka University of America, Southeastern University of Florida, Southern Virginia University, Southwestern College of Arizona (now Arizona Christian University), the University of St. Thomas of Texas, the State University of New York at Delhi (SUNY Delhi), Talladega College, Thomas University, the University of Victoria, Voorhees College (now Voorhees University), and Walla Walla University beginning in the 2008–09 academic year. Out of those AII member institutions during that time, only three of them competed as partial or affiliate members, while they compete in other athletic conferences for their other sports as their primary home: Brescia and Mountain State for the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (KIAC, now the River States Conference), and Park for the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference (MCAC).
• 2009 – Nine institutions left the AII, seven to join their respective new home primary conferences: Ave Maria, Johnson & Wales–Miami and Southeastern (Fla.) to join the Sun Conference (formerly the Florida Sun Conference), Brescia's basketball teams to join the rest of its athletics program in the KIAC, Holy Cross (Ind.) to join the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC), Our Lady of the Lake to join the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC), and Park to join the American Midwest Conference, all effective after the 2008–09 academic year. The eight and ninth, Santa Fe and Victory, ceased operations. A tenth institution, Mountain State, has its men's basketball team to join the rest of its athletics program in the KIAC, while its women's basketball team remained in the AII.
• 2009 – Northern New Mexico College, Ohio Dominican University, and Truett McConnell College (now Truett McConnell University) joined the AII in the 2009–10 academic year.
• 2010 – Four institutions left the AII to join their respective new home primary conferences: Alberta to realign its athletics program to the Canada West Universities Athletic Association (Canada West) of the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS; now the U Sports), Fisk to join the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC), Ohio Dominican to join the NCAA Division II ranks and the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), and Truett McConnell to join the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC), all effective after the 2009–10 academic year.
• 2010 – Benedictine University at Springfield, Central Baptist College, Lourdes College (now Lourdes University), and Warren Wilson College joined the AII in the 2010–11 academic year.
• 2011 – Nine institutions left the AII, eight to join their respective new home primary conferences: Philander Smith and Talladega to join the GCAC, Regina to realign its athletics program to the CIS, Simon Fraser to realign its athletics program to the NCAA Division II ranks and the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC), St. Thomas (Tex.) to join the RRAC, Benedictine–Springfield to join the American Midwest, Central Baptist to join the MCAC, and Lourdes to join the Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC), all effective after the 2010–11 academic year. The ninth, Lambuth, ceased operations.
• 2011 – Dakota State University, Dickinson State University, the University of Jamestown, La Sierra University, Lawrence Technological University (Lawrence Tech), Marymount College (later Marymount California University), Mayville State University, Rochester College (now Rochester Christian University), the Atlanta campus of the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD Atlanta), and Valley City State University joined the AII in the 2011–12 academic year.
• 2012 – 13 institutions left the AII, 11 to join their respective new home primary conferences: Embry–Riddle at Arizona, Marymount (Cal.) and Soka to join the California Pacific Conference (Cal Pac), Life to join the TranSouth Athletic Conference (TSAC or TranSouth), Marygrove and Lawrence Tech to join the WHAC, Southern Virginia and Warren Wilson to realign within the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) [with Southern Virginia later applying to join the NCAA Division III ranks in the 2013–14 academic year], Arizona Christian to join the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC), Thomas (Ga.) to join the Sun Conference, Dickinson State to join the Frontier Conference, and SCAD Atlanta to join the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC), all effective after the 2011–12 academic year. The twelfth and thirteenth, Mountain State and Patten, ceased operations.
• 2012 – Ashford University, Fisher College, Iowa Wesleyan University, the West Virginia Institute of Technology (WVU Tech), Wilberforce University, Georgia Gwinnett College, Indiana University–Kokomo (Indiana–Kokomo or IU Kokomo), and Lindenwood University–Belleville joined the AII in the 2012–13 academic year.
• 2013 – Eight institutions left the AII to join their respective new home primary conferences: La Sierra to join the Cal Pac, Voorhees to join the GCAC, Dakota State, Jamestown, Mayville State and Valley City State to join the newly created North Star Athletic Association (NSAA), Indiana–Kokomo to join the KIAC, and Iowa Wesleyan to join the NCAA Division III ranks and the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC), all effective after the 2012–13 academic year.
• 2013 – Dalton State College and the University of Antelope Valley joined the AII (with Life re-joining after one season in the recently defunct TranSouth) in the 2013–14 academic year.
• 2014 – Four institutions left the AII to join their respective new home primary conferences: Lindenwood–Belleville to join the American Midwest, Life to join the Mid-South Conference, LSU–Alexandria to join the RRAC, and Dalton State to join the SSAC, all effective after the 2013–14 academic year.
• 2014 – Texas A&M University–Texarkana, Lincoln Christian University, Washington Adventist University, the University of Winnipeg, and Trinity Lutheran College joined the AII in the 2014–15 academic year.
• 2015 – Four institutions left the AII to join their respective new home primary conferences: Cal State–San Marcos to join the NCAA Division II ranks and the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), Houston–Victoria (UHV) to join the RRAC, Walla Walla to join the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC), and Antelope Valley to join the Cal Pac, all effective after the 2014–15 academic year.
• 2015 – Central Christian College of Kansas, Clarke University, the College of the Ozarks (CofO), Governors State University, Haskell Indian Nations University, Mount Mercy University, York College of Nebraska (now York University of Nebraska), and Providence Christian College (with Voorhees re-joining) joined the AII in the 2015–16 academic year. Out of those AII member institutions during that time, only one competed in other athletic conferences for other sports as their primary home: Providence Christian for the Cal Pac.
• 2016 – Nine institutions left the AII, six to join their respective new home primary conferences: Allen to join the AAC, Governors State to join the CCAC, Texas A&M–Texarkana to join the RRAC, Winnipeg to realign its athletics program to the CIS, Clarke and Mount Mercy to join the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC), and York (Neb.) to join the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC), all effective after the 2015–16 academic year. The eighth and ninth, Ashford and Trinity Lutheran, ceased operations.
• 2016 – Crowley's Ridge College, Silver Lake College of the Holy Family (later Holy Family College), Stillman College, and the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) joined the AII in the 2016–17 academic year.
• 2017 – Two institutions left the AII to join their respective new home primary conferences: Rochester to join the WHAC, and Central Christian to join the Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC), both effective after the 2016–17 academic year.
• 2017 – Cleary University, Florida College, the University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK), Rust College, and the College of St. Joseph joined the AII in the 2017–18 academic year.
• 2018 – Eight institutions left the AII to join their respective new home primary conferences: British Columbia to realign its athletics program to the U Sports, Johnson & Wales–Denver to join the NCAA Division III ranks and the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC), SUNY Delhi to fully realign to the NCAA Division III ranks and join the North Atlantic Conference (NAC), Cleary to join the WHAC, Stillman and Florida College to join the SSAC, Rust to join the GCAC, and Maine–Fort Kent (UMFK) to realign its athletics program with the USCAA, all effective after the 2017–18 academic year.
• 2018 – Florida Memorial University, Green Mountain College, Cottey College, Lincoln College, Pennsylvania State University Schuylkill, and Villa Maria College joined the AII in the 2018–19 academic year.
• 2019 – Five institutions left the AII, three to join their respective new home primary conferences: Indiana–Northwest (IU Northwest) to join the CCAC, Kentucky Christian to join the AAC, and Villa Maria to realign its athletics program with the USCAA, all effective after the 2018–19 academic year. The fourth and fifth, Green Mountain and St. Joseph (Vt.), ceased operations.
• 2019 – Bacone College joined the AII in the 2019–20 academic year.
• 2020 – Two institutions left the AII, one to join its respective new home primary conference: Lincoln (Ill.) to join the CCAC after the 2019–20 academic year. The other, Holy Family ceased operations.
• 2021 – Two institutions left the AII to join their respective new home primary conferences: Fisk to re-join the GCAC, and the CofO to fully align with the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA), both effective after the 2020–21 academic year.
• 2021 – The AII was rebranded as the Continental Athletic Conference (CAC) in the 2021–22 academic year.
• 2021 – Arkansas Baptist College (with Iowa Wesleyan re-joining) joined the CAC in the 2021–22 academic year.
• 2022 – Three institutions left the CAC to join their respective new home primary conferences: Wilberforce to join the Mid-South, and Cottey to join the American Midwest, all effective after the 2021–22 academic year. The third, Lincoln Christian, announced that it had discontinued its athletics program.
• 2022 – The University of South Carolina Beaufort (USC Beaufort), Indiana University–Purdue University Columbus (IUPUC [now Indiana University–Columbus or Indiana–Columbus]), and North American University joined the CAC in the 2022–23 academic year.
• 2023 – Five institutions left the CAC, four to join their respective new home primary conferences: Indiana–Columbus (IU Columbus) to join the River States, North American to join the RRAC, USC Beaufort to fully realign in the NCAA Division II ranks and the Peach Belt Conference (PBC), and Virgin Islands to join the GCAC, all effective after the 2022–23 academic year. The fifth, Iowa Wesleyan, ceased operations; originally they had planned to leave the CAC after the school got an invite to re-join the American Midwest prior to announcing their closure.
• 2023 – The College of the Ozarks (CofO) returned to the NAIA and re-joined the CAC (after two seasons competing as a full member of the NCCAA), alongside Wilberforce re-joining after competing one season in the Mid-South, both effective in the 2023–24 academic year.
• 2024 – Six institutions left the CAC, five to join their respective new home primary conferences: CofO to join the SAC, Crowley's Ridge to join the American Midwest, Voorhees & Wilberforce to join the GCAC (now known as the HBCU Athletic Conference [or HBCUAC]; with the former one re-joining), and Penn State–Schuylkill to fully align with the USCAA and the Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC), all effective after the 2023–24 academic year. The sixth, Bacone, announced that it would cease all operations.
• 2024 – Spartanburg Methodist College and Carolina University joined the CAC in the 2024–25 academic year.
• 2025 – Two institutions will leave the CAC to join their respective new home primary conferences: Northern New Mexico to join the Cal Pac, ^[3] and Spartanburg Methodist to join the AAC, ^[4] both effective in the 2025–26 academic year.

Member schools

Note: – Schools that compete as independents in some certain sports that their own primary conferences home don't sponsor compete in the CAC as affiliate members (except football).

Current members

Full

Departing members are highlighted in pink.

Institution	Location	Founded	Affiliation	Enrollment	Nickname	Joined [a]	Basketball?	Future conference
Arkansas Baptist College [b]	Little Rock, Arkansas	1884	Baptist [c]	468	Buffaloes	2021	both	–
Carolina University	Winston-Salem, North Carolina	1945	Nondenominational	826	Bruins	2024	both	–
Fisher College	Boston, Massachusetts	1903	Nonsectarian	2,560	Falcons	2012	both	–
Florida College [d]	Temple Terrace, Florida	1946	Churches of Christ	505	Falcons	2021	men's [e]	–
Florida National University	Hialeah, Florida	1988	For-profit	5,541	Conquistadors	2018	both	–
Georgia Gwinnett College	Lawrenceville, Georgia	2006	Public	9,000	Grizzlies	2012	none [f]	–
Haskell Indian Nations University	Lawrence, Kansas	1884	Public tribal	958	Fighting Indians	2015	both	–
Morris College	Sumter, South Carolina	1908	Baptist [c]	871	Hornets	2005 [g]	both	–
Northern New Mexico College	Española, New Mexico	1909	Public	3,873	Eagles	2009	both	California Pacific (CalPac)
Spartanburg Methodist College	Saxon, South Carolina	1911	United Methodist	1,128	Pioneers	2024	both	Appalachian (AAC)
University of Victoria	Victoria, British Columbia, Canada	1903	Public	16,961	Vikes	2006 [g]	none [h]	–
Washington Adventist University	Takoma Park, Maryland	1904	Seventh-day Adventist	1,493	Shock	2014	both	–

Notes

1. Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
2. Also sponsors football.
3. Also a historically black college and university.
4. This institution held dual membership with the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA).
5. Florida College had sponsored women's basketball until after the 2020–21 school year.
6. Georgia Gwinnett will add men's and women's basketball, beginning in fall 2025. ^[5]
7. School competed as a full Independent within the NAIA prior the inception of the AII/Continental beginning the 2008–09 school year.
8. UVic is the only full member within the AII/Continental who competes in partial status, with men's and women's golf as the only sponsored sports; while some of their other sports compete in their primary home conference at the Canada West Universities Athletic Association (Canada West) of U Sports, where it doesn't sponsor golf.

Partial

Institution	Location	Founded	Affiliation	Enrollment	Nickname	Joined [a]	Primary conference	AII/CAC sport(s)
Bellevue University	Bellevue, Nebraska	1966	Nonsectarian	8,300	Bruins	2021m.soc 2021w.soc	North Star (NSAA) (Frontier in 2025–26)	men's soccer women's soccer
Fisk University [b]	Nashville, Tennessee	1866	United Church of Christ [c]	910	Bulldogs	2021m.glf. 2021w.glf.	HBCU (HBCUAC)	men's golf women's golf
University of Jamestown	Jamestown, North Dakota	1883	Presbyterian (PCUSA)	1,500	Jimmies	2024m.soc 2024w.soc	North Star (NSAA) (Northern Sun (NSIC) in 2025–26)	men's soccer women's soccer
La Sierra University	Riverside, California	1922	Seventh-day Adventist	2,199	Golden Eagles	2024	California Pacific (CalPac) (Great Southwest (GSAC) in 2025–26)	softball
Oakwood University [d]	Huntsville, Alabama	1896	Seventh-day Adventist [c]	1,400	Ambassadors	2023m.soc 2023w.soc	HBCU (HBCUAC)	men's soccer women's soccer
Our Lady of the Lake University [e]	San Antonio, Texas	1895	Catholic (C.D.P.)	2,660	Saints	2021	Red River (RRAC)	women's golf
Simpson University	Redding, California	1921	Christian & Missionary Alliance	1,280	Red Hawks	2024	California Pacific (CalPac)	softball
Talladega College [f]	Talladega, Alabama	1867	United Church of Christ [c]	1,337	Tornadoes	2023m.soc 2023w.soc 2023m.glf.	HBCU (HBCUAC)	men's soccer women's soccer men's golf
Tougaloo College [g]	Tougaloo, Mississippi	1869	United Church of Christ & Disciples of Christ [c]	900	Bulldogs	2022m.soc 2022w.soc	HBCU (HBCUAC)	men's soccer women's soccer
Westcliff University	Irvine, California	1993	For-profit	2,800	Warriors	2024	California Pacific (CalPac)	softball
Wiley University	Marshall, Texas	1873	United Methodist [c]	1,250	Wildcats	2023m.soc 2023w.soc	HBCU (HBCUAC)	men's soccer women's soccer

Notes

1. Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
2. Fisk was a partial member for men's soccer from the 2021 to 2023 fall seasons (2021–22 to 2023–24 school years).
3. Also a historically black college and university.
4. Oakwood was a partial member for softball during the 2024 spring season (2023–24 school year).
5. Our Lady of the Lake (OLLU) was a partial member for men's golf for the 2022 spring season (2021–22 school year).
6. Talladega was a partial member for softball for the 2024 spring season (2023–24 school year).
7. Tougaloo was a partial member for baseball for the 2022 spring season (2021–22 school year); and for men's and women's golf from the 2022 to 2023 spring seasons (2021–22 to 2022–23 school years).

Former members

Full

School names and nicknames listed here reflect those used in the final school year each institution was a member as an NAIA independent.

Institution	Location	Founded	Affiliation	Enrollment	Nickname	Joined [a]	Left [b]	Current conference	BKB? [c]
University of Alberta	Edmonton, Alberta	1908	Public	36,435	Golden Bears [d] & Pandas [d]	1995 [e]	2010	Canada West (CWUAA) [f]	none [g]
Allen University	Columbia, South Carolina	1870	A.M.E. Church [h]	600	Yellow Jackets	2005 [e]	2016	Southern (SIAC) [i]	both
University of Antelope Valley	Lancaster, California	2009	For-profit	1,517	Pioneers	2013	2015	Closed in 2024	both
Arizona Christian University [j]	Glendale, Arizona [k]	1960	Nondenominational	820	Firestorm	2009	2012	Great Southwest (GSAC)	both
Ashford University	Clinton, Iowa	1918	For-profit	N/A	Saints	2012	2016	Closed in 2016	both
Ave Maria University	Ave Maria, Florida	2003	Catholic (Diocese of Venice)	1,200	Gyrenes	2008	2009	The Sun	both
Bacone College	Muskogee, Oklahoma	1880	Tribal college [l]	900	Warriors	2019	2024	Closed in 2024	both
Belhaven College [m]	Jackson, Mississippi	1883	Evangelical Presbyterian	3,245	Blazers	2000 [e]	2002	C.C. of the South (CCS) [n]	both
Benedictine University at Springfield	Springfield, Illinois	1927	Catholic (Ursulines)	N/A	Bulldogs	2010	2011	Closed in 2018	both
University of British Columbia	Vancouver, British Columbia	1908	Public	43,579	Thunderbirds	2000? [e]	2018	Canada West (CWUAA) [f]	none [o]
California State University San Marcos	San Marcos, California	1989	Public [p]	14,511	Cougars	1998 [e]	2015	California (CCAA) [i]	both [q]
Central Baptist College	Conway, Arkansas	1952	Baptist Missionary	739	Mustangs	2009	2011	American Midwest	both
Central Christian College of Kansas	McPherson, Kansas	1884	Free Methodist	1,013	Tigers	2015	2017	Sooner (SAC)	both
Clarke University [r]	Dubuque, Iowa	1843	Catholic (B.V.M.)	1,230	Crusaders [s]	2006; [e] 2015 [t]	2007; 2016 [t]	Heart of America (HAAC)	both
Cleary University	Howell, Michigan	1883	Nonsectarian	600	Cougars	2017	2018	Wolverine–Hoosier (WHAC)	both
College of Coastal Georgia	Brunswick, Georgia	1961	Public	3,438	Mariners	2011	2012	The Sun	both
Colorado State University–Pueblo (CSU Pueblo)	Pueblo, Colorado	1933	Public	6,617	ThunderWolves	1963	1967	Rocky Mountain (RMAC) [i]	both
Cottey College [u]	Nevada, Missouri	1884	Nonsectarian	307	Comets	2018	2022	American Midwest	women's
Crowley's Ridge College	Paragould, Arkansas	1964	Churches of Christ	331	Pioneers	2016	2024	American Midwest	both
Crichton College [v]	Memphis, Tennessee	1941	Nondenominational	1,970	Eagles	2008	2009	Closed in 2014 [w]	men's
Dakota State University	Madison, South Dakota	1881	Public [x]	2,282	Trojans	2011	2013	North Star (NSAA) (Frontier in 2025)	both
Dalton State College	Dalton, Georgia	1963	Public [y]	5,047	Roadrunners	2012	2014	Southern States (SSAC)	men's
Dickinson State University	Dickinson, North Dakota	1918	Public [z]	1,800	Blue Hawks	2011	2012	North Star (NSAA) (Frontier in 2025)	both
Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University–Prescott	Prescott, Arizona	1978	Nonsectarian	1,700	Eagles	2008?	2012	Great Southwest (GSAC)	both
Fisk University	Nashville, Tennessee	1866	United Church of Christ [h]	910	Bulldogs	2008; 2014 [aa]	2010; 2021 [aa]	HBCU (HBCUAC)	both
Governors State University	University Park, Illinois	1969	Public	7,775	Jaguars	2015	2016	Chicagoland (CCAC)	both
Grand Canyon University	Phoenix, Arizona	1949	For-profit	103,427 [ab]	Antelopes	1961 [e]	1990	Western (WAC) [ac] (Mountain West (MW) [ac] in 2026)	both
Green Mountain College	Poultney, Vermont	1834	United Methodist	N/A	Eagles	2018	2019	Closed in 2019	both
Holy Cross College	Notre Dame, Indiana	1966	Catholic (C.S.C.)	500	Saints	2006 [e]	2009	Chicagoland (CCAC)	both
Holy Family College [ad]	Manitowoc, Wisconsin	1935	Catholic (Franciscan)	500	Lakers	2016	2020	Closed in 2020	both
University of Houston–Victoria (UHV)	Victoria, Texas	1973	Public	4,407	Jaguars	2007 [e]	2015	Red River (RRAC)	none
Indiana University–Kokomo	Kokomo, Indiana	1945	Public [ae]	3,719	Cougars	2012	2013	River States (RSC)	both
Indiana University–Northwest	Gary, Indiana	1959	Public [ae]	4,760	RedHawks	1998 [e]	2019	Chicagoland (CCAC)	both
Indiana University–Purdue University Columbus [af]	Columbus, Indiana	1970	Public [ae]	1,411	Crimson Pride	2022	2023	River States (RSC)	none
Indiana University–Southeast	New Albany, Indiana	1941	Public [ae]	6,840	Grenadiers	1978 [e]	1994	River States (RSC)	both
Indiana University–South Bend	South Bend, Indiana	1966	Public [ae]	8,394	Titans	1987 [e]	2003	Chicagoland (CCAC)	both
Iowa Wesleyan University	Mount Pleasant, Iowa	1856	United Methodist	570	Tigers	1974; [e] 2012; 2021 [ag]	1993; 2013; 2023 [ag]	Closed in 2023	both
Jacksonville University	Jacksonville, Florida	1934	Nonsectarian	4,213	Dolphins	1957 [e]	1966	Atlantic Sun (ASUN) [ac]	both
Jamestown College [ah]	Jamestown, North Dakota	1883	Presbyterian (PCUSA)	900	Jimmies	2012	2013	North Star (NSAA) (Northern Sun (NSIC) [i] in 2025)	both
Johnson & Wales University–Denver	Denver, Colorado	2000	Nonsectarian	N/A	Wildcats	2005 [e]	2018	Closed in 2021	both
Johnson & Wales University–North Miami	North Miami, Florida	1992	Nonsectarian	N/A	Wildcats	2005 [e]	2009	Closed in 2021	both
Kentucky Christian University	Grayson, Kentucky	1919	Christian	689	Knights	2008?	2019	Appalachian (AAC) (River States (RSC) in 2025)	both
King College [ai]	Bristol, Tennessee	1867	Presbyterian (Evangelical Presbyterian/ PCUSA)	1,800	Tornados	2009	2010	Carolinas (CC) [i]	both
La Sierra University	Riverside, California	1922	Seventh-day Adventist	2,199	Golden Eagles	2011	2013	California Pacific (CalPac)	both
Lambuth University	Jackson, Tennessee	1843	United Methodist	800	Eagles	2008	2009	Closed in 2011	both
Lawrence Technological University	Southfield, Michigan	1932	Nonsectarian	3,000	Blue Devils	2011	2012	Wolverine–Hoosier (WHAC)	both
Life University	Marietta, Georgia	1974	Nonsectarian	2,692	Running Eagles	2008; 2013 [aj]	2012; 2014 [aj]	Southern States (SSAC)	both
Lincoln College	Lincoln, Illinois	1865	Nonsectarian	800	Lynx	2018	2020	Closed in 2022	both
Lincoln Christian University [ak]	Lincoln, Illinois	1944	Christian	1,050	Red Lions	2014	2022	N/A [al]	both
Lindenwood University at Belleville [am]	Belleville, Illinois	2003	Presbyterian (PCUSA)	N/A	Lynx	2012	2014	Closed in 2020	both
Louisiana State University of Alexandria	Alexandria, Louisiana	1959	Public	3,378	Generals	2007 [e]	2014	Red River (RRAC)	both
Lourdes University	Sylvania, Ohio	1958	Catholic (Franciscan)	1,500	Gray Wolves	2010	2011	Wolverine–Hoosier (WHAC)	both
University of Maine at Fort Kent [am]	Fort Kent, Maine	1878	Public [an]	1,339	Bengals	2017	2018	USCAA Independent	both
Marygrove College	Detroit, Michigan	1899	Catholic (I.H.M.)	N/A	Mustangs	2008	2012	N/A [ao]	both
Marymount California University	Rancho Palos Verdes, California	1932	Catholic (R.S.H.M.)	923	Mariners	2010	2012	Closed in 2022	none
Mayville State University	Mayville, North Dakota	1889	Public [z]	780	Comets	2012	2013	North Star (NSAA) (Frontier in 2025)	both
University of Missouri–Kansas City (UMKC)	Kansas City, Missouri	1933	Public [ap]	16,000	Kangaroos [aq]	1969 [e]	1994	Summit [ac]	both [ar]
Mount Mercy University	Cedar Rapids, Iowa	1928	Catholic (R.S.M.)	1,490	Mustangs	2015	2016	Heart of America (HAAC)	both
North American University [as]	Stafford, Texas	2007	Nonsectarian	785	Stallions	2022	2023	Red River (RRAC)	both
Northwest Christian University [at]	Eugene, Oregon	1895	Disciples of Christ	800	Beacons	2005 [e]	2007	Cascade (CCC)	both
University of Northwestern Ohio	Lima, Ohio	1920	Nonsectarian	4,200	Racers	2007 [e] [au]	2008 [au]	Wolverine–Hoosier (WHAC)	both
Ohio Dominican University	Columbus, Ohio	1911	Catholic (O.P.)	3,052	Panthers	2009	2010	Great Midwest (G-MAC) [i]	both
Oral Roberts University	Tulsa, Oklahoma	1963	Evangelical	3,300	Titans [av]	1989 [e]	1991	Summit [ac]	both
Our Lady of the Lake University	San Antonio, Texas	1895	Catholic (C.D.P.)	2,660	Saints	2007 [e]	2008	Red River (RRAC)	both
College of the Ozarks [ak]	Point Lookout, Missouri	1906	Presbyterian (PCUSA)	1,508	Bobcats	2015; 2023 [aw]	2021; 2024 [aw]	Sooner (SAC)	both
Patten University	Oakland, California	1944	For-profit	900	Lions	2005 [e]	2012	N/A [ax]	none
Penn State–Schuylkill [am]	Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania	1934	Public (PSUCC)	940	Nittany Lions	2018	2024	Penn State (PSUAC) [ay]	both
Philander Smith College [az]	Little Rock, Arkansas	1864	United Methodist [h]	700	Panthers	2008	2011	HBCU (HBCUAC)	both
University of Regina	Regina, Saskatchewan	1911	Public	12,800	Cougars [ba] & Rams [ba]	2000? [e]	2011	Canada West (CWUAA) [f]	none [bb]
Rochester College [bc]	Rochester Hills, Michigan	1959	Churches of Christ	1,100	Warriors	2011	2017	Wolverine–Hoosier (WHAC)	both
Rogers State University	Claremore, Oklahoma	1909	Public	4,300	Hillcats	2005 [e]	2007	Mid-America (MIAA) [i]	both
Rust College	Holly Springs, Mississippi	1866	United Methodist [h]	900	Bearcats	2017	2018	HBCU (HBCUAC)	both
University of St. Thomas	Houston, Texas	1947	Catholic (C.S.B.)	1,626	Celts	2007 [e]	2011	Southern (SCAC) [n]	both
Savannah College of Art and Design at Atlanta (SCAD Atlanta)	Atlanta, Georgia	2005	Non-profit art school	2,000	Bees	2010	2012	Appalachian (AAC)	none
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD Savannah)	Savannah, Georgia	1978	Non-profit art school	11,897	Bees	2003 [e]	2004	The Sun	none [bd]
Simon Fraser University	Burnaby, British Columbia	1965	Public	35,604	Clan [be]	2000? [e]	2010	Great Northwest (GNAC) [i]	none [bf]
Soka University of America	Aliso Viejo, California	2001	Nonsectarian	441	Lions	2007 [e]	2012	California Pacific (CalPac)	none
University of South Carolina Beaufort	Beaufort, South Carolina	1959	Public	1,386	Sand Sharks	2022	2023	Peach Belt (PBC) [i]	both
Southeastern University	Lakeland, Florida	1935	Assemblies of God	3,850	Fire	2008	2009	The Sun	both
Southern Virginia University	Buena Vista, Virginia	1867	LDS Church	1,053	Knights	2008	2012	USA South [n]	both
State University of New York at Delhi [bg] [bh] (SUNY Delhi)	Delhi, New York	1913	Public [bi]	3,088	Broncos	2004? [e]	2010	North Atlantic (NAC) [n]	both
Stillman College	Tuscaloosa, Alabama	1876	Presbyterian [h] (PCUSA)	1,000	Tigers	2016	2018	HBCU (HBCUAC)	both
Stephens College [u]	Columbia, Missouri	1833	Nonsectarian	754	Stars	2004 [e]	2008	American Midwest	women's
Talladega College	Talladega, Alabama	1867	United Church of Christ [h]	1,337	Tornadoes	2008	2011	HBCU (HBCUAC)	both
Tennessee Temple University [ak]	Chattanooga, Tennessee	1895	Nondenominational	N/A	Crusaders	2006 [e]	2008	N/A [bj]	both
Texas A&M University–Texarkana	Texarkana, Texas	1971	Public	1,865	Eagles	2014	2016	Red River (RRAC)	both
Trinity Lutheran College [ak]	Everett, Washington	1944	Lutheran	166	Eagles	2014	2016	Closed in 2016	none
Truett McConnell College [bk]	Cleveland, Georgia	1946	Baptist	1,600	Bears	2009	2010	Appalachian (AAC)	both
Valley City State University	Valley City, North Dakota	1890	Public [z]	1,220	Vikings	2012	2013	North Star (NSAA) (Frontier in 2025)	both
University of the Virgin Islands (UVI)	Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands	1962	Public [h]	2,392	Buccaneers	2016	2023	HBCU (HBCUAC)	both
Voorhees University [bl]	Denmark, South Carolina	1897	Episcopal [h]	600	Tigers	2005; [e] 2015 [bm]	2013; 2024 [bm]	HBCU (HBCUAC)	both
Walla Walla University	College Place, Washington	1892	Seventh-day Adventist	1,940	Wolves	2008	2015	Cascade (CCC)	both
Warren Wilson College	Swannanoa, North Carolina	1894	Presbyterian (PCUSA)	650	Owls	2010	2012	Coast to Coast (C2C) [n]	both
West Virginia University Institute of Technology (WVU Tech)	Beckley, West Virginia	1895	Public [bn]	2,252	Golden Bears	2012	2015	River States (RSC)	both
Wilberforce University	Wilberforce, Ohio	1856	A.M.E. Church [h]	900	Bulldogs	2012; 2023 [bo]	2022; 2024 [bo]	HBCU (HBCUAC)	both
University of Winnipeg	Winnipeg, Manitoba	1871	Public	9,219	Wesmen	2014	2015	Canada West (CWUAA) [f]	none [bp]
York College [bq]	York, Nebraska	1890	Churches of Christ	459	Panthers	2015	2016	Kansas (KCAC)	both

Notes

1. Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
2. Represents the calendar year when spring sports competition ends.
3. Abbreviation for basketball.
4. Alberta's men's sports compete as the Golden Bears; while its women's sports they compete as the Pandas.
5. School competed as a full Independent within the NAIA prior the inception of the AII/Continental, which began in the 2008–09 school year.
6. Currently an U Sports (formerly the Canadian Interuniversity Sport, or CIS) athletic conference.
7. Alberta was one of many few full members within the AII/Continental who competes in partial status, with men's and women's tennis as the only sponsored sports; while some of their other sports compete in their primary home conference at the Canada West Universities Athletic Association (Canada West) of U Sports, where it doesn't sponsor tennis.
8. Also a historically black college and university.
9. Currently an NCAA Division II athletic conference.
10. Formerly known as Southwestern College until 2011.
11. Former campus location was in Phoenix.
12. Formerly affiliated with the American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA) until 2018.
13. Currently known as Belhaven University since 2010.
14. Currently an NCAA Division III athletic conference.
15. British Columbia was one of many few full members within the AII/Continental who competes in partial status, with baseball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's golf, and men's and women's outdoor track and field as the only sponsored sports; while some of their other sports compete in their primary home conference at the Canada West Universities Athletic Association (Canada West) of U Sports, where it doesn't sponsor neither of those previously mentioned sports.
16. Part of the California State University System.
17. The Cal State–San Marcos men's and women's basketball teams joined as an Independent 13 years after becoming a full member for other sports (2011–12).
18. Formerly known as Clarke College until 2010.
19. Clarke now competes as the Pride since the 2017–18 school year.
20. Clarke left the Independent/AII/Continental ranks after the 2006–07 school year; before re-joining for only the 2015–16 school year.
21. This institution is a women's college, therefore it does not field men's sports.
22. Later became known as Victory University in 2010.
23. Crichton (as Victory) re-instated its athletics program in fall 2010; until the university ceased operations after spring 2014.
24. Part of the South Dakota Board of Regents System.
25. Part of the University System of Georgia.
26. Part of the North Dakota University System.
27. Fisk withdrew from the Independent/AII/Continental ranks from 2010–11 to 2013–14.
28. Includes online students. Current on-campus enrollment is about 25,300.
29. Currently an NCAA Division I athletic conference.
30. Formerly known as Silver Lake College until 2019.
31. Part of the Indiana University System.
32. Currently known as Indiana University Columbus since 2024.
33. Iowa Wesleyan left the Independent/AII/Continental ranks after the 2012–13 school year before re-joining in 2021–22 school year and left once again after 2022–23 since the school ceased operations.
34. Currently known as the University of Jamestown since 2013.
35. Currently known as King University since 2013.
36. Life left the Independent/AII/Continental ranks after the 2011–12 school year, re-joining for only the 2013–14 school year.
37. This institution held dual membership with the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA).
38. Lincoln Christian discontinued its athletics program after the 2021–22 school year.
39. This institution held dual membership with the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA).
40. Part of the University of Maine System.
41. Marygrove announced that all athletics would cease after the 2017 fall season (with men's & women's soccer and volleyball remaining) of the 2017–18 academic year; with their August 2017 announcement of the closing of school's undergraduate programs. ^[6]
42. Part of the University of Missouri System.
43. UMKC rebranded its athletics as Kansas City and competes as the Roos since the 2019–20 school year.
44. UMKC's men's basketball team left the NAIA after the 1985–86 school year, but its women's basketball team remained in the association until 1993–94.
45. This institution also sponsors football.
46. Currently known as Bushnell University since 2020.
47. Northwestern Ohio competed as an Independent while transitioning to join the American Mideast Conference as an associate (provisional) member.
48. Oral Roberts competes as the Golden Eagles since the 1993–94 school year.
49. The College of the Ozarks left the Independent/AII/Continental ranks after the 2020–21 school year before re-joining for only the 2023–24 school year.
50. Patten dropped its athletic program after the 2011–12 school year.
51. Currently a United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) athletic conference.
52. Currently known as Philander Smith University since 2023.
53. URegina competes in all sports as the Cougars; with the exception of its football team, who compete as the Rams.
54. URegina was one of many few full members within the AII/Continental who competes in partial status, with men's and women's wrestling; while some of their other sports compete in their primary home conference at the Canada West Universities Athletic Association (Canada West) of U Sports, where it doesn't sponsor wrestling.
55. Later known as Rochester University in 2019; now currently known as Rochester Christian University since 2024.
56. Savannah A&D had sponsored men's or women's basketball until after the 2008–09 school year.
57. Nickname was used until spring 2020. Since fall 2022, its current nickname is Red Leafs.
58. Simon Fraser was one of many few full members within the AII/Continental who competes in partial status, with men's and women's cross country, men's and women's indoor and outdoor track and field, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's swimming and diving, softball and wrestling as the only sponsored sports; while some of their other sports compete in their primary home conference at the Canada West Universities Athletic Association (Canada West) of U Sports, where it doesn't sponsor neither of those previously mentioned sports (although the CWUAA also sponsors soccer).
59. This institution held dual membership with the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).
60. At the time of its tenure within the NAIA, SUNY Delhi was also a member of the Mountain Valley Athletic Conference (MVAC) within the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) until after the 2014–15 school year.
61. Part of the State University of New York System.
62. Tennessee Temple was merged into Piedmont International University (now known as Carolina University) after spring 2015.
63. Currently known as Truett McConnell University since 2016.
64. Formerly known as Voorhees College until 2022.
65. Voorhees left the Independent/AII/Continental ranks after the 2012–13 school year before re-joining in the 2015–16 school year.
66. Part of the West Virginia University System.
67. Wilberforce left the Independent/AII/Continental ranks after the 2021–22 school year before re-joining for only the 2023–24 school year.
68. UWinnipeg was one of many few full members within the AII/Continental who competes in partial status, with baseball as the only sponsored sport; while some of their other sports compete in their primary home conference at the Canada West Universities Athletic Association (Canada West) of U Sports, where it doesn't sponsor baseball.
69. Currently known as York University since 2022.

Partial

Institution	Location	Founded	Affiliation	Enrollment	Nickname	Joined [a]	Left [b]	Current primary conference	AII/CAC sport(s)
Brescia University	Owensboro, Kentucky	1925	Catholic (Ursulines)	2,252	Bearcats	1984?	2009 [c]	River States (RSC)	men's basketball women's basketball
Cottey College [d]	Nevada, Missouri	1884	Nonsectarian	307	Comets	2022w.xc. 2022w.glf.	2023w.xc. 2023w.glf.	American Midwest	women's cross country women's golf
Dillard University	New Orleans, Louisiana	1869	United Methodist & United Church of Christ [e]	900	Bleu Devils & Lady Bleu Devils	2023	2024	HBCU (HBCUAC)	softball
Edward Waters University [f] [g]	Jacksonville, Florida	1866	A.M.E. Church [e]	966	Tigers	2021w.soc. 2021bsb. 2021sfb.	2022w.soc. 2022bsb. 2022sfb.	Southern (SIAC) [h]	women's soccer baseball softball
Fisk University [i]	Nashville, Tennessee	1866	United Church of Christ [e]	910	Bulldogs	2021	2024	HBCU (HBCUAC)	men's soccer
University of Houston–Victoria (UHV)	Victoria, Texas	1973	Public	4,407	Jaguars	2021m.glf. 2021w.glf.	2022m.glf. 2023w.glf.	Red River (RRAC)	men's golf women's golf
Jarvis Christian University	Hawkins, Texas	1912	Disciples of Christ	550	Bulldogs	2021	2023	Red River (RRAC)	women's golf
Lincoln College	Lincoln, Illinois	1865	Nonsectarian	800	Lynx	2021m.xc. 2021m.glf. 2021w.glf.	2022m.xc. 2022m.glf. 2022w.glf.	Closed in 2022	men's cross country men's golf women's golf
Mountain State University	Beckley, West Virginia	1933	Nonsectarian	N/A	Cougars	1977?m.bsk. 1980w.bsk.	2009m.bsk. [j] 2012w.bsk. [j]	Closed in 2012	men's basketball women's basketball
Oakwood University [k]	Huntsville, Alabama	1896	Seventh-day Adventist [e]	1,400	Ambassadors	2023	2024	HBCU (HBCUAC)	softball
Our Lady of the Lake University [l]	San Antonio, Texas	1895	Catholic (C.D.P.)	2,660	Saints	2021	2022	Red River (RRAC)	men's golf
Park University	Parkville, Missouri	1875	Nonsectarian	2,340	Pirates	1994	2009 [m]	Heart of America (HAAC)	men's basketball women's basketball
Rust College	Holly Springs, Mississippi	1866	United Methodist [e]	900	Bearcats	2021bsb. 2021sfb.	2022bsb. 2024sfb.	HBCU (HBCUAC)	softball
University of the Southwest	Hobbs, New Mexico	1962	Nondenominational	550	Mustangs	2021m.glf. 2021w.glf.	2022m.glf. 2023w.glf.	Red River (RRAC)	men's golf women's golf
State University of New York at Delhi [n] [o] (SUNY Delhi)	Delhi, New York	1913	Public [p]	3,088	Broncos	2009m.glf. 2012w.glf.	2018m.glf. 2018w.glf.	North Atlantic (NAC) [q]	men's golf women's golf
Talladega College [r]	Talladega, Alabama	1867	United Church of Christ [e]	1,337	Tornadoes	2023	2024	HBCU (HBCUAC)	softball
Tougaloo College [s]	Tougaloo, Mississippi	1869	United Church of Christ & Disciples of Christ [e]	900	Bulldogs	2021bsb. 2021m.glf. 2021w.glf.	2022bsb. 2023m.glf. 2023w.glf.	HBCU (HBCUAC)	baseball men's golf women's golf
Viterbo University	La Crosse, Wisconsin	1923	Catholic (Diocese of Davenport)	2,991	V-Hawks	2021m.soc. 2021w.soc.	2023m.soc. 2023w.soc.	Chicagoland (CCAC)	men's soccer women's soccer
Waldorf University [t]	Forest City, Iowa	1903	For-profit	580	Warriors	2021m.soc. 2021w.soc.	2023m.soc. 2023w.soc.	Great Plains (GPAC)	men's soccer women's soccer

Notes

1. Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
2. Represents the calendar year when spring sports competition ends.
3. Brescia's basketball teams moved into the River States Conference (RSC) alongside its other sports after the 2008–09 school year.
4. This institution is a women's college, therefore it does not field men's sports.
5. Also a historically black college and university.
6. Formerly known as Edward Waters College until 2021.
7. Edward Waters remained in its primary conference home (the HBCUAC, then known as the GCAC) to compete in conference tournaments for all sponsored sports during the provisional transition until after the 2021–22 school year.
8. Currently an NCAA Division II athletic conference.
9. Fisk remains as a partial member for men's and women's golf.
10. Mountain State's men's basketball team moved into the River States Conference (RSC) alongside its other sports after the 2008–09 school year; while its women's basketball team remained in the AII until the school closed after spring 2012.
11. Oakwood remains as a partial member for men's and women's soccer.
12. Our Lady of the Laker (OLLU) remains as a partial member for women's golf.
13. Park's basketball teams, alongside its other sports, moved into the American Midwest Conference from its previous primary conference home, the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference (MCAC), after the 2008–09 school year.
14. This institution held dual membership with the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).
15. At the time of its tenure within the NAIA, SUNY Delhi was also a member of the Mountain Valley Athletic Conference (MVAC) within the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) until after the 2014–15 school year.
16. Part of the State University of New York System.
17. Currently an NCAA Division III athletic conference.
18. Talladega remains as a partial member for men's and women's soccer and men's golf.
19. Tougaloo remains as a partial member for men's and women's soccer.
20. Formerly known as Waldorf College until 2016.

Sports

Conference sports

Sport	Men's	Women's
Baseball	Y
Basketball	Y	Y
Cross Country	Y	Y
Golf	Y	Y
Soccer	Y	Y
Softball		Y
Track & Field Outdoor	Y	Y
Volleyball		Y

See also

• NAIA independent football schools
• NCAA Division I independent schools
• NCAA Division II independent schools
• NCAA Division III independent schools

References

1. "NAIA Member Schools". NAIA. Retrieved August 24, 2012.
2. "Athletics' Conference, Association of Independent Institutions Re-brands to Continental Athletic Conference". Haskell Indians. June 26, 2021.
3. "Cal Pac Membership Pathway Takes Positive Turn - California Pacific Conference (Cal Pac)" (Press release). December 20, 2024. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
4. "Spartanburg Methodist College to Join AAC as Full Member in 2025-26" (Press release). July 17, 2024. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
5. "Georgia Gwinnett College to Add Men's and Women's Basketball" (Press release). Georgia Gwinnett Athletics. April 18, 2024. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
6. "What you need to know about the closing of Marygrove College". model D. October 29, 2019.

External links

• Continental Athletic Conference website