NAIA independent schools

Last updated
Continental Athletic Conference
FormerlyAssociation of Independent Institutions (2008–2021)
Association National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)
Founded2008;17 years ago (2008) (as the AII)
CommissionerTed Breidenthal
Sports fielded
  • 13
    • men's: 6
    • women's: 7
No. of teams12
RegionUnited States and Canada (British Columbia)
Official website continentalathletics.com
Locations
NAIA Independent conference map.png

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]

Contents

History

Chronological timeline

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 full members

Departing members are highlighted in pink.

InstitutionLocationFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameJoined [a] Basketball?Future
conference
Alice Lloyd College Pippa Passes, Kentucky 1923 Nondenominational 553 Eagles 2025both
Arkansas Baptist College [b] Little Rock, Arkansas 1884Baptist [c] 373 Buffaloes 2021both
Carolina University Winston-Salem, North Carolina 1945Nondenominational893 Bruins 2024both
Fisher College Boston, Massachusetts 1903Nonsectarian1,501 Falcons 2012both
Florida College [d] Temple Terrace, Florida 1946Churches
of Christ
657 Falcons 2021men's [e]
Florida National University Hialeah, Florida 1988 For-profit 2,638 Conquistadors 2018both
Georgia Gwinnett College Lawrenceville, Georgia 2006Public11,907 Grizzlies 2012both
Haskell Indian Nations University Lawrence, Kansas 1884 Public tribal 878 Fighting Indians 2015both
Hesston College Hesston, Kansas 1909 Mennonite 308 Larks 2025both
Morris College Sumter, South Carolina 1908Baptist [c] 421 Hornets 2005 [f] both
University of Victoria Victoria, British Columbia, Canada1903Public15,999 Vikes 2006 [f] none [g]
Washington Adventist University Takoma Park, Maryland 1904 Seventh-day
Adventist
695 Shock 2014both
Notes
  1. Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
  2. Also sponsors football.
  3. 1 2 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. 1 2 School competed as a full Independent within the NAIA prior the inception of the AII/Continental beginning the 2008–09 school year.
  7. 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.


Current partial members

InstitutionLocationFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameJoined [a] Primary
conference
AII/CAC
sport(s)
Bellevue University Bellevue, Nebraska 1966 Nonsectarian 14,476 Bruins 2021m.soc
2021w.soc
Frontier men's soccer
women's soccer
Fisk University [b] Nashville, Tennessee 1866 United Church of Christ [c] 1,005 Bulldogs 2021m.glf.
2021w.glf.
HBCU (HBCUAC) men's golf
women's golf
Our Lady of the Lake University [d] San Antonio, Texas 1895 Catholic
(C.D.P.)
2,096 Saints 2021 Red River (RRAC) women's golf
Talladega College [e] Talladega, Alabama 1867United Church of Christ [c] 837 Tornadoes 2023 HBCU (HBCUAC) men's golf
Westcliff University Irvine, California 1993 For-profit 6,532 Warriors 2024 California Pacific (CalPac) softball
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. 1 2 Also a historically black college and university.
  4. Our Lady of the Lake (OLLU) was a partial member for men's golf for the 2022 spring season (2021–22 school year).
  5. Talladega was a partial member for softball for the 2024 spring season (2023–24 school year) and a partial member for men's and women's soccer for the 2023 and 2024 fall seasons (2023–24 and 2024–25 school years).

Former full members

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

InstitutionLocationFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameJoined [a] Left [b] Current
conference
BKB? [c]
University of Alberta Edmonton, Alberta 1908 Public 46,201 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] 677 Yellow Jackets 2005 [e] 2016 Southern (SIAC) [i] both
University of Antelope Valley Lancaster, California 2009 For-profit N/A Pioneers 20132015Closed in 2024both
Arizona Christian University [j] Glendale, Arizona [k] 1960 Nondenominational 1,233 Firestorm 20092012 Great Southwest (GSAC) both
Ashford University Clinton, Iowa 1918 For-profit N/A Saints 20122016Closed in 2016both
Ave Maria University Ave Maria, Florida 2003 Catholic
(Diocese of Venice)
1,335 Gyrenes 20082009 The Sun (TSC) both
Bacone College Muskogee, Oklahoma 1880 Tribal college [l] N/A Warriors 20192024Closed in 2024both
Belhaven College [m] Jackson, Mississippi 1883 Evangelical
Presbyterian
3,616 Blazers 2000 [e] 2002 C.C. South (CCS) [n] both
Benedictine University at Springfield Springfield, Illinois 1927Catholic
(Ursulines)
N/A Bulldogs 20102011Closed in 2018both
Bryant University Smithfield, Rhode Island 1863Nonsectarian3,592 Bulldogs 19631976 America East (AmEast) [o] both
University of British Columbia Vancouver, British Columbia 1908Public72,692 Thunderbirds 2000? [e] 2018 Canada West (CWUAA) [f] none [p]
California State University San Marcos San Marcos, California 1989Public [q] 15,431 Cougars 1998 [e] 2015 California (CCAA) [i] both [r]
Central Baptist College Conway, Arkansas 1952 Baptist Missionary 550 Mustangs 20092011 American Midwest both
Central Christian College of Kansas McPherson, Kansas 1884 Free Methodist 455 Tigers 20152017 Sooner (SAC) both
University of Central Oklahoma [s] Edmond, Oklahoma 1890Public [t] 12,148 Bronchos 19771987 Mid-America (MIAA) [i] both
Clarke University [u] Dubuque, Iowa 1843Catholic
(B.V.M.)
1,025 Crusaders [v] 2006; [e]
2015 [w]
2007;
2016 [w]
Heart of America (HAAC) both
Cleary University Howell, Michigan 1883 Nonsectarian 1,040 Cougars 20172018 Wolverine–Hoosier (WHAC) both
College of Coastal Georgia Brunswick, Georgia 1961Public3,189 Mariners 20112012 The Sun (TSC) both
Colorado State University–Pueblo
(CSU Pueblo)
Pueblo, Colorado 1933Public6,691 ThunderWolves 19631967 Rocky Mountain (RMAC) [i] both
Cottey College [x] Nevada, Missouri 1884Nonsectarian266 Comets 20182022 American Midwest women's
Crowley's Ridge College Paragould, Arkansas 1964 Churches
of Christ
225 Pioneers 20162024 American Midwest both
Crichton College [y] Memphis, Tennessee 1941NondenominationalN/A Eagles 20082009Closed in 2014 [z] men's
Dakota State University Madison, South Dakota 1881Public [aa] 3,508 Trojans 20112013 North Star (NSAA)
(Frontier in 2025)
both
Dalton State College Dalton, Georgia 1963Public [ab] 4,902 Roadrunners 20122014 Southern States (SSAC) men's
Dickinson State University Dickinson, North Dakota 1918Public [ac] 1,453 Blue Hawks 20112012 North Star (NSAA)
(Frontier in 2025)
both
Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University–Prescott Prescott, Arizona 1978Nonsectarian3,286 Eagles 2008?2012 Great Southwest (GSAC) both
Fisk University Nashville, Tennessee 1866 United
Church of
Christ
[h]
1,005 Bulldogs 2008;
2014 [ad]
2010;
2021 [ad]
HBCU (HBCUAC) both
Governors State University University Park, Illinois 1969Public4,337 Jaguars 20152016 Chicagoland (CCAC) both
Grand Canyon University Phoenix, Arizona 1949 For-profit 107,563 [ae] Antelopes 1961 [e] 1990 Western (WAC) [o]
(Mountain West
(MW)
[o] in 2026)
both
Green Mountain College Poultney, Vermont 1834 United
Methodist
N/A Eagles 20182019Closed in 2019both
Holy Cross College Notre Dame, Indiana 1966Catholic
(C.S.C.)
547 Saints 2006 [e] 2009 Chicagoland (CCAC) both
Holy Family College [af] Manitowoc, Wisconsin 1935Catholic
(Franciscan)
N/A Lakers 20162020Closed in 2020both
University of Houston–Victoria
(UHV)
Victoria, Texas 1973Public3,784 Jaguars 2007 [e] 2015 Red River (RRAC) none
University of the Incarnate Word San Antonio, Texas 1881 Catholic
(CCVI)
7,251 Cardinals 19801987 Southland (SLC) both
Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis [ag] [ah]
(IU Indianapolis, IU Indy)
Indianapolis, Indiana 1969 [ai] Public25,497 Jaguars 19781993 Horizon [o] both
Indiana University–Kokomo Kokomo, Indiana 1945Public [aj] 2,892 Cougars 20122013 River States (RSC) both
Indiana University–Northwest Gary, Indiana 1959Public [aj] 3,045 RedHawks 1998 [e] 2019 Chicagoland (CCAC) both
Indiana University–Purdue University Columbus [ak] Columbus, Indiana 1970Public [aj] 1,411 Crimson Pride 20222023 River States (RSC) none
Indiana University–Southeast New Albany, Indiana 1941Public [aj] 3,752 Grenadiers 1978 [e] 1994 River States (RSC) both
Indiana University–South Bend South Bend, Indiana 1966Public [aj] 4,446 Titans 1987 [e] 2003 Chicagoland (CCAC) both
Iowa Wesleyan University Mount Pleasant, Iowa 1856 United
Methodist
N/A Tigers 1974; [e]
2012;
2021 [al]
1993;
2013;
2023 [al]
Closed in 2023both
Jacksonville University Jacksonville, Florida 1934Nonsectarian3,957 Dolphins 1957 [e] 1966 Atlantic Sun (ASUN) [o] both
Jamestown College [am] Jamestown, North Dakota 1883 Presbyterian
(PCUSA)
1,215 Jimmies 20122013 North Star (NSAA)
(Northern Sun (NSIC) [i] in 2025)
both
Johnson & Wales University–Denver Denver, Colorado 2000NonsectarianN/A Wildcats 2005 [e] 2018Closed in 2021both
Johnson & Wales University–North Miami North Miami, Florida 1992NonsectarianN/A Wildcats 2005 [e] 2009Closed in 2021both
Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, Georgia [an] 1963Public [ab] 45,069 Owls 19821983 Conf. USA (C-USA) both
Kentucky Christian University Grayson, Kentucky 1919 Christian 541 Knights 2008?2019 Appalachian (AAC)
(River States (RSC) in 2025)
both
King College [ao] Bristol, Tennessee 1867Presbyterian
(Evangelical
Presbyterian
/
PCUSA)
1,295 Tornados 20092010 Carolinas (CC) [i] both
La Sierra University Riverside, California 1922 Seventh-day
Adventist
1,611 Golden Eagles 20112013 California Pacific (CalPac) both
Lambuth University Jackson, Tennessee 1843United
Methodist
N/A Eagles 20082009Closed in 2011both
Lander University Greenwood, South Carolina 1872Public4,363 Bearcats 19681990 Peach Belt (PBC) [i] both
Langston University Langston, Oklahoma 1897Public [ap] [h] 1,910 Lions 19971998 Sooner (SAC) both
Lawrence Technological University Southfield, Michigan 1932Nonsectarian3,260 Blue Devils 20112012 Wolverine–Hoosier (WHAC) both
Life University Marietta, Georgia 1974Nonsectarian2,711 Running Eagles 2008;
2013 [aq]
2012;
2014 [aq]
Southern States (SSAC) both
Lincoln College Lincoln, Illinois 1865NonsectarianN/A Lynx 20182020Closed in 2022both
Lincoln Christian University [ar] Lincoln, Illinois 1944 Christian N/A Red Lions 20142022N/A [as] both
Lindenwood University at Belleville [at] Belleville, Illinois 2003Presbyterian
(PCUSA)
N/A Lynx 20122014Closed in 2020both
Louisiana State University of Alexandria Alexandria, Louisiana 1959Public5,330 Generals 2007 [e] 2014 Red River (RRAC) both
Lourdes University Sylvania, Ohio 1958Catholic
(Franciscan)
1,014 Gray Wolves 20102011 Wolverine–Hoosier (WHAC) both
Lyon College Batesville, Arkansas 1872 Presbyterian
(PCUSA)
584 Scots 1995 [e] 1997 St. Louis (SLIAC) [n] both
University of Maine at Fort Kent [at] Fort Kent, Maine 1878Public [au] 1,406 Bengals 20172018 USCAA Independent both
Marygrove College Detroit, Michigan 1899Catholic
(I.H.M.)
N/A Mustangs 20082012N/A [av] both
Marymount California University Rancho Palos Verdes, California 1932Catholic
(R.S.H.M.)
N/A Mariners 20102012Closed in 2022none
Mayville State University Mayville, North Dakota 1889Public [ac] 1,025 Comets 20122013 North Star (NSAA)
(Frontier in 2025)
both
University of Missouri–Kansas City
(UMKC)
Kansas City, Missouri 1933Public [aw] 15,277 Kangaroos [ax] 1969 [e] 1994 Summit [o] both [ay]
University of Missouri–St. Louis
(UMSL)
St. Louis, Missouri 1963Public [aw] 14,800 Tritons 19661970 Great Lakes Valley (GLVC) [i] both
Mount Mercy University Cedar Rapids, Iowa 1928Catholic
(R.S.M.)
1,451 Mustangs 20152016 Heart of America (HAAC) both
North American University [az] Stafford, Texas 2007Nonsectarian923 Stallions 20222023 Red River (RRAC) both
University of North Florida [ba] Jacksonville, Florida 1965Public16,453 Ospreys 19921993 Atlantic Sun (ASUN) [o] both
Northern New Mexico College Española, New Mexico 1909Public1,310 Eagles 20092025 California Pacific (CalPac) both
Northwest Christian University [bb] Eugene, Oregon 1895 Disciples
of Christ
758 Beacons 2005 [e] 2007 Cascade (CCC) both
University of Northwestern Ohio Lima, Ohio 1920Nonsectarian2,606 Racers 2007 [e] [bc] 2008 [bc] Wolverine–Hoosier (WHAC) both
Northwestern Oklahoma State University [bd] Alva, Oklahoma 1897Public [t] 1,929 Rangers 19971998 Great American (GAC) [i] both
Ohio Dominican University Columbus, Ohio 1911Catholic
(O.P.)
1,258 Panthers 20092010 Great Midwest (G-MAC) [i] both
Oklahoma Panhandle State University Goodwell, Oklahoma 1909Public [ap] 1,071 Aggies 19972002 Sooner (SAC) both
Oral Roberts University Tulsa, Oklahoma 1963Evangelical5,365 Titans [be] 1989 [e] 1991 Summit [o] both
Our Lady of the Lake University San Antonio, Texas 1895Catholic
(C.D.P.)
2,096 Saints 2007 [e] 2008 Red River (RRAC) both
College of the Ozarks [ar]
(CofO)
Point Lookout, Missouri 1906Presbyterian
(PCUSA)
1,427 Bobcats 2015;
2023 [bf]
2021;
2024 [bf]
Sooner (SAC) both
Patten University Oakland, California 1944 For-profit 900 Lions 2005 [e] 2012N/A [bg] none
Penn State–Schuylkill [at] Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania 1934Public
(PSUCC)
650 Nittany Lions 20182024 Penn State (PSUAC) [bh] both
Philander Smith College [bi] Little Rock, Arkansas 1864United
Methodist [h]
866 Panthers 20082011 HBCU (HBCUAC) both
University of Regina Regina, Saskatchewan 1911 Public 17,409 Cougars [bj]
& Rams [bj]
2000? [e] 2011 Canada West (CWUAA) [f] none [bk]
Rochester College [bl] Rochester Hills, Michigan 1959 Churches
of Christ
1,173 Warriors 20112017 Wolverine–Hoosier (WHAC) both
Rogers State University Claremore, Oklahoma 1909Public3,206 Hillcats 2005 [e] 2007 Mid-America (MIAA) [i] both
Rust College Holly Springs, Mississippi 1866United
Methodist [h]
429 Bearcats 20172018 HBCU (HBCUAC) both
St. Thomas University Miami Gardens, Florida 1961Catholic
(Archdiocese of Miami)
6,455 Bobcats 19871990 The Sun (TSC) both
University of St. Thomas Houston, Texas 1947Catholic
(C.S.B.)
3,813 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 20102012 Appalachian (AAC) none
Savannah College of Art and Design
(SCAD Savannah)
Savannah, Georgia 1978 Non-profit
art school
17,575 Bees 2003 [e] 2004 The Sun (TSC) none [bm]
Simon Fraser University Burnaby, British Columbia 1965Public35,604 Clan [bn] 2000? [e] 2010 Great Northwest (GNAC) [i] none [bo]
Soka University of America Aliso Viejo, California 2001Nonsectarian476 Lions 2007 [e] 2012 California Pacific (CalPac) none
University of South Carolina Beaufort
(USC Beaufort)
Beaufort, South Carolina 1959Public2,121 Sand Sharks 20222023 Peach Belt (PBC) [i] both [bp]
Southeastern University Lakeland, Florida 1935 Assemblies of God 10,400 Fire 20082009 The Sun (TSC) both
Southern Virginia University Buena Vista, Virginia 1867 LDS Church 967 Knights 20082012 USA South [n] both
Spartanburg Methodist College Saxon, South Carolina 1911 United
Methodist
1,029 Pioneers 20242025 Appalachian (AAC) both
State University of New York at Delhi [bq] [br]
(SUNY Delhi)
Delhi, New York 1913Public [bs] 2,777 Broncos 2004? [e] 2010 North Atlantic (NAC) [n] both
Stillman College Tuscaloosa, Alabama 1876Presbyterian [h]
(PCUSA)
779 Tigers 20162018 HBCU (HBCUAC) both
Stephens College [x] Columbia, Missouri 1833Nonsectarian532 Stars 2004 [e] 2008 American Midwest women's
Talladega College Talladega, Alabama 1867 United Church of Christ [h] 837 Tornadoes 20082011 HBCU (HBCUAC) both
Tennessee Temple University [ar] Chattanooga, Tennessee 1895 Nondenominational N/A Crusaders 2006 [e] 2008N/A [bt] both
Texas A&M University–Texarkana Texarkana, Texas 1971Public2,109 Eagles 20142016 Red River (RRAC) both
Trinity Lutheran College [ar] Everett, Washington 1944 Lutheran N/A Eagles 20142016Closed in 2016none
Truett McConnell College [bu] Cleveland, Georgia 1946 Baptist 2,714 Bears 20092010 Appalachian (AAC) both
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma Chickasha, Oklahoma 1908Public [bv] 914 Drovers 19971998 Sooner (SAC) both
Valley City State University Valley City, North Dakota 1890Public [ac] 1,754 Vikings 20122013 North Star (NSAA)
(Frontier in 2025)
both
University of the Virgin Islands
(UVI)
Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands 1962Public [h] 1,739 Buccaneers 20162023 HBCU (HBCUAC) both
Voorhees University [bw] Denmark, South Carolina 1897 Episcopal [h] 515 Tigers 2005; [e]
2015 [bx]
2013;
2024 [bx]
HBCU (HBCUAC) both
Walla Walla University College Place, Washington 1892 Seventh-day
Adventist
1,397 Wolves 20082015 Cascade (CCC) both
Warren Wilson College Swannanoa, North Carolina 1894Presbyterian
(PCUSA)
797 Owls 20102012 Coast to Coast (C2C) [n] both
West Virginia University Institute of Technology
(WVU Tech)
Beckley, West Virginia 1895Public [by] 1,448 Golden Bears 20122015 River States (RSC) both
Wilberforce University Wilberforce, Ohio 1856 A.M.E. Church [h] 617 Bulldogs 2012;
2023 [bz]
2022;
2024 [bz]
HBCU (HBCUAC) both
University of Winnipeg Winnipeg, Manitoba 1871Public9,028 Wesmen 20142015 Canada West (CWUAA) [f] none [ca]
University of Wisconsin–Green Bay Green Bay, Wisconsin 1965Public10,326 Phoenix 19691973 Horizon [o] both
University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee Milwaukee, Wisconsin 1956Public22,481 Panthers 19851987 Horizon [o] both
York College [cb] York, Nebraska 1890Churches
of Christ
585 Panthers 20152016 Kansas (KCAC) both
Youngstown State University Youngstown, Ohio 1908Public15,058 Penguins 19421960 Horizon [o] 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. 1 2 Alberta's men's sports compete as the Golden Bears; while its women's sports they compete as the Pandas.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 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. 1 2 3 4 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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Also a historically black college and university.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Currently an NCAA Division III athletic conference.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Currently an NCAA Division I athletic conference.
  16. 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.
  17. Part of the California State University System.
  18. 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).
  19. Formerly known as Central State University until 1990.
  20. 1 2 Part of the Regional University System of Oklahoma.
  21. Formerly known as Clarke College until 2010.
  22. Clarke now competes as the Pride since the 2017–18 school year.
  23. 1 2 Clarke left the Independent/AII/Continental ranks after the 2006–07 school year; before re-joining for only the 2015–16 school year.
  24. 1 2 This institution is a women's college, therefore it does not field men's sports.
  25. Later became known as Victory University in 2010.
  26. Crichton (as Victory) re-instated its athletics program in fall 2010; until the university ceased operations after spring 2014.
  27. Part of the South Dakota Board of Regents System.
  28. 1 2 Part of the University System of Georgia.
  29. 1 2 3 Part of the North Dakota University System.
  30. 1 2 Fisk withdrew from the Independent/AII/Continental ranks from 2010–11 to 2013–14.
  31. Includes online students. Current on-campus enrollment is about 25,300.
  32. Formerly known as Silver Lake College until 2019.
  33. Currently known as Indiana University–Indianapolis (IU Indy) since 2024.
  34. IU Indy joined the Horizon League as IUPUI, representing the former Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). IUPUI was dissolved in 2024 and replaced by separate institutions affiliated with the Indiana University and Purdue University systems. The athletic program transferred to the new IU Indianapolis [5] with a primary branding as IU Indy.
  35. IU Indy did not exist until 2024, but inherited its athletic program from IUPUI, founded in 1969.
  36. 1 2 3 4 5 Part of the Indiana University System.
  37. Currently known as Indiana University–Columbus since 2024.
  38. 1 2 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.
  39. Currently known as the University of Jamestown since 2013.
  40. The KSU campus has a Kennesaw mailing address, but is located in unincorporated Cobb County.
  41. Currently known as King University since 2013.
  42. 1 2 Part of the Board of Regents for the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges.
  43. 1 2 Life left the Independent/AII/Continental ranks after the 2011–12 school year, re-joining for only the 2013–14 school year.
  44. 1 2 3 4 This institution held dual membership with the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA).
  45. Lincoln Christian discontinued its athletics program after the 2021–22 school year.
  46. 1 2 3 This institution held dual membership with the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA).
  47. Part of the University of Maine System.
  48. 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]
  49. 1 2 Part of the University of Missouri System.
  50. UMKC rebranded its athletics as Kansas City and competes as the Roos since the 2019–20 school year.
  51. 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.
  52. This institution also sponsors football.
  53. While in their only season in the NAIA, North Florida began competing as a member of the Division II ranks of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and joined the Sunshine State Conference (SSC) as a provisional member during the 1992–93 school year.
  54. Currently known as Bushnell University since 2020.
  55. 1 2 Northwestern Ohio competed as an Independent while transitioning to join the American Mideast Conference as an associate (provisional) member.
  56. Formerly known as Northwestern State College until 1974.
  57. Oral Roberts competes as the Golden Eagles since the 1993–94 school year.
  58. 1 2 The College of the Ozarks (CofO) left the Independent/AII/Continental ranks after the 2020–21 school year before re-joining for only the 2023–24 school year.
  59. Patten dropped its athletic program after the 2011–12 school year.
  60. Currently a United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) athletic conference.
  61. Currently known as Philander Smith University since 2023.
  62. 1 2 URegina competes in all sports as the Cougars; with the exception of its football team, who compete as the Rams.
  63. 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.
  64. Later known as Rochester University in 2019; now currently known as Rochester Christian University since 2024.
  65. Savannah A&D had sponsored men's or women's basketball until after the 2008–09 school year.
  66. Nickname was used until spring 2020. Since fall 2022, its current nickname is Red Leafs.
  67. 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).
  68. Initially a non-basketball core member school, until South Carolina–Beaufort (USC Beaufort) began sponosoring men's and women's basketball in the 2023–24 school year.
  69. This institution held dual membership with the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).
  70. 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.
  71. Part of the State University of New York System.
  72. Tennessee Temple was merged into Piedmont International University (now known as Carolina University) after spring 2015.
  73. Currently known as Truett McConnell University since 2016.
  74. Part of the Board of Regents of the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma.
  75. Formerly known as Voorhees College until 2022.
  76. 1 2 Voorhees left the Independent/AII/Continental ranks after the 2012–13 school year before re-joining in the 2015–16 school year.
  77. Part of the West Virginia University System.
  78. 1 2 Wilberforce left the Independent/AII/Continental ranks after the 2021–22 school year before re-joining for only the 2023–24 school year.
  79. 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.
  80. Currently known as York University since 2022.

Former partial members

InstitutionLocationFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameJoined [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 1884Nonsectarian307 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
20232024 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 1866United Church
of Christ [e]
910 Bulldogs 20212024 HBCU (HBCUAC) men's soccer
University of Houston–Victoria
(UHV)
Victoria, Texas 1973Public4,407 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 20212023 Red River (RRAC) women's golf
University of Jamestown Jamestown, North Dakota 1883 Presbyterian
(PCUSA)
1,215 Jimmies 2024m.soc
2024w.soc
2025m.soc
2025w.soc
Northern Sun (NSIC) men's soccer
women's soccer
La Sierra University Riverside, California 1922 Seventh-day
Adventist
1,611 Golden Eagles 20242025 Great Southwest (GSAC) softball
Lincoln College Lincoln, Illinois 1865Nonsectarian800 Lynx 2021m.xc.
2021m.glf.
2021w.glf.
2022m.xc.
2022m.glf.
2022w.glf.
Closed in 2022men's cross country
men's golf
women's golf
Mountain State University Beckley, West Virginia 1933NonsectarianN/A Cougars 1977?m.bsk.
1980w.bsk.
2009m.bsk. [j]
2012w.bsk. [j]
Closed in 2012men's basketball
women's basketball
Oakwood University Huntsville, Alabama 1896 Seventh-day
Adventist
[e]
1,400 Ambassadors 2023sb
2023m.soc
2023w.soc
2024sb
2025m.soc
2025w.soc
HBCU (HBCUAC) softball
men's soccer
women's soccer
Our Lady of the Lake University [k] San Antonio, Texas 1895Catholic
(C.D.P.)
2,660 Saints 20212022 Red River (RRAC) men's golf
Park University Parkville, Missouri 1875Nonsectarian2,340 Pirates 19942009 [l] Heart of America (HAAC) men's basketball
women's basketball
Rust College Holly Springs, Mississippi 1866United
Methodist [e]
900 Bearcats 2021bsb.
2021sfb.
2022bsb.
2024sfb.
HBCU (HBCUAC) softball
Simpson University Redding, California 1921 Christian &
Missionary
Alliance
907 Red Hawks 20242025 California Pacific (CalPac) 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 [m] [n]
(SUNY Delhi)
Delhi, New York 1913Public [o] 3,088 Broncos 2009m.glf.
2012w.glf.
2018m.glf.
2018w.glf.
North Atlantic (NAC) [p] men's golf
women's golf
Talladega College [q] Talladega, Alabama 1867United Church of Christ [e] 1,337 Tornadoes 2023m.glf
2023m.soc
2023w.soc
2024m.glf
2025m.soc
2025w.soc
HBCU (HBCUAC) softball
men's soccer
women's soccer
Tougaloo College Tougaloo, Mississippi 1869United Church of Christ &
Disciples of Christ [e]
900 Bulldogs 2021bsb.
2021m.glf.
2021w.glf.
2022m.soc
2022w.soc
2022bsb.
2023m.glf.
2023w.glf.
2025m.soc
2025w.soc
HBCU (HBCUAC) baseball
men's golf
women's golf
men's soccer
women's soccer
Viterbo University La Crosse, Wisconsin 1923Catholic
(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 [r] 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
Wiley University Marshall, Texas 1873 United
Methodist
[e]
636 Wildcats 2023m.soc
2023w.soc
2025m.soc
2025w.soc
HBCU (HBCUAC) 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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 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. 1 2 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. Our Lady of the Laker (OLLU) remains as a partial member for women's golf.
  12. 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.
  13. This institution held dual membership with the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).
  14. 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.
  15. Part of the State University of New York System.
  16. Currently an NCAA Division III athletic conference.
  17. Talladega remains as a partial member for men's golf.
  18. Formerly known as Waldorf College until 2016.

Sports

Conference sports
SportMen'sWomen's
Baseball Green check.svg
Basketball Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Cross Country Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Golf Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Soccer Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Softball Green check.svg
Track & Field Outdoor Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Volleyball Green check.svg

See also

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. Tryon, Matthew (August 12, 2022). "What's next for IUPUI athletics? Staying in the Horizon League and 'tough decisions'". Indianapolis Star. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  6. "What you need to know about the closing of Marygrove College". model D. October 29, 2019.