Important Dates

December 22 - January 1, 2024

• The NAIA national office, eligibility center and InCred are closed for holiday break.

Early January 2024

• 2024 National Convention registration opens.

January 10, 2024

• Deadline to submit 2024 legislative proposals. See details below.

January 31, 2024

• Winter sport (basketball, competitive cheer & dance, swimming & diving, wrestling, bowling) scholar-athlete nominations due in SIDHelp. For more information on the award and nominations, click here.

Championships

Men's Soccer National Champions

MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) won the 2023 NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship 2-1 over Milligan (Tenn.) at the Scheels Stryker Sports Complex in Wichita, Kan. This is the first red banner in program history for the Pioneers.

Women's Soccer National Champions

The University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) headed home with the 2023 NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship title after defeating the top overall seed William Carey 3-2 in a penalty kick shootout. The championship game was held at the Foley Sports Tourism Championship Stadium in Foley, Ala.

Women's Volleyball National Champions

Indiana Wesleyan capped off their undefeated season by beating Northwestern (Iowa) in five sets to win the 2023 NAIA Women's Volleyball National Championship.

Legislative Services

Christmas & Compliance on December 14

"Tis the season to be compliant - fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la."

Legislative Services is hosting a special edition Coffee & Compliance Webinar on Thursday, December 14 at Noon -1 p.m. CT.

This session will focus on the importance of mid-year certification and winter non-term course tracking as we approach the holiday break and spring 2024. Two guest speakers will share tips and tricks on how they approach mid-year certification and anticipate a student-athlete’s eligibility in a subsequent spring term – you will not want to miss it.

Members who attend the entire session can also look forward to a fun Christmas surprise from the elves who work on Legislative Lane.

Zoom Meeting Link

Meeting ID: 850 5259 6519

Passcode: NAIA

Mid-Year Transfers

It is that time of year where we get quite a few questions regarding mid-year transfers and their ability to compete at their NAIA institution upon transferring. Please refer to this new article in The Attic regarding mid-year transfer student eligibility. 

Legislative Proposals Due January 10

This is a reminder that all proposed amendments to the NAIA Constitution or Bylaws must be submitted to the NAIA national office by January 10, 2024. Proposed amendments will be voted on at the national convention in April 2024.

Authorized sponsors include:

• NAIA council
• NAIA standing committee
• NAIA affiliated conference**
• NAIA association**

** A proposed amendment sponsored by an NAIA-affiliated conference or an NAIA association must have a minimum of one additional co-sponsor. Co-sponsorship by an NAIA coaches association will not satisfy this requirement when the primary sponsor is another NAIA coaches association.

Requirements for submitting a legislative proposal:

• Note the specific constitution or bylaw provision that you would like to amend, and the intent of the change in your proposal.
• Email proposals to legislative@naia.org no later than January 10, 2024. The national office will contact you to confirm receipt of your proposal.

Partners

Healthcare Consortium Feasibility Study

The NAIA national office has kick-started a self-funding healthcare consortium feasibility study group comprised of NAIA members with the NAIA Official Employee Benefits Partner, Winter-Dent, leading the charge with their extensive market and industry experience. The study is set to explore the fit and design of an NAIA-specific, self-funded health insurance consortium that could result in a better for option for members, amongst growing healthcare cost and industry changes. For more information, contact Leah McCormack, vice president of business development.

Master's Transportation

Move your team forward with Master’s Transportation! From roomy vans to expansive buses, we cater to teams of all sizes. Click here to view the largest used inventory in the nation!

Call (800) 783-3613 to learn more about our nine-month lease options, extended lease terms or short-term rental solutions for peak season!

NAIA RISE

NAIA Governance and Leadership Academy Nominations Open

The NAIA Governance and Leadership Academy (GLA) provides training on NAIA governance and strategic initiatives to minority and female athletics administrators. The GLA introduces participants to NAIA committee work and service while enhancing their leadership acumen.

The third annual GLA will take place April 4, 2024 at Park University in Parkville, Missouri. As in previous years, the event will immediately precede the NAIA National Convention.

The GLA will be limited to 50 participants with each conference allowed to send two participants. Any employee within the athletics department who is a minority or female, regardless of title, can be nominated by their institution. The only exemption is graduate students. Nominations can only be submitted by conference commissioners.

Click here to submit a nomination.

Eligibility

November Eligibility Edge

Check out the most recent issue of the Eligibility Edge, a newsletter dedicated exclusively to NAIA eligibility topics. For questions regarding newsletter distribution or to add someone to the email list before the January issue, please contact Jen Saab.