Columbia International University Athletics

The Columbia International University athletic department recently announced that CIU will be pursuing membership within the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA ) as part of the Appalachian Athletics Conference (AAC). The decision to apply for NAIA and AAC membership was made after much research within the athletic department and approval from the CIU leadership. 

The process of applying for membership in both organizations continues to be a multi-step process.  In August, members of the CIU administration as well as athletics staff met with John Sullivan, AAC Commissioner, to discuss conference membership as well as the membership application process.  In October, CIU athletics director James Whitaker submitted formal application and full athletic report to both the NAIA and AAC for consideration.  This past week, the NAIA Membership Committee sent an official letter to CIU President Dr. Mark Smith that the application and supporting materials had been accepted and that CIU was approved for an official site visit in early February.  The site visit will take place on February 6 and will include NAIA and AAC administrators and member school officials including college presidents, athletic directors, and faculty athletics representatives.  Following the site visit and subsequent report, the NAIA Council of Presidents will officially vote to extend membership to CIU at the April NAIA Convention in Kansas City.  If accepted into membership, the Rams will begin playing in the NAIA and AAC as early as next fall and will be eligible immediately for AAC Conference honors and post-season play.  After serving a required 1 year probation period, CIU would potentially be eligible for NAIA post-season play and honors in 2019-20. 

While pursuing membership within the NAIA, the Rams will also keep their affiliation with the NCCAA (National Christian College Athletics Association) as a Division I institution.  

Headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, the NAIA is a governing body of small athletic programs that are dedicated to character-driven intercollegiate athletics.   The NAIA currently includes over 250 colleges and universities and 21 conferences across the country.  The NAIA is known for its Champions of Character model that provides training for student-athletes and professional development for coaches and staff. The Champions of Character core values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership are put into play and accounted for at NAIA schools.

According to CIU athletics director James Whitaker, "Membership within the NAIA and AAC will be a great step for CIU athletics.   The NAIA is a strong organization made up of many schools similar to CIU.  Affiliation with the NAIA will give CIU student-athletes and coaches additional opportunities within athletics.  The NAIA Champions of Character model is something that is extremely important to the NAIA and will be a great fit for the CIU athletic culture as well.  We look forward to being a part of this great organization. "

"We are thrilled to potentially be a part of the Appalachian Athletics Conference.  Conference membership is something we have been missing as a department and is a huge part of this decision.  We have already been competing with many of the AAC schools so membership will give us improved visibility and scheduling as well as the opportunity to compete for conference championships and awards."

Stay tuned for more information about CIU athletics and the process of becoming a member of both the NAIA and AAC!