April 23, 2008

For Immediate Release

Contact: Staci Schottman, Director of Public Relations and Communications, sschottman@naia.org

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced at its annual convention this past week that applications from Ave Maria University (Fla.), Cincinnati Christian University (Ohio), Kentucky Christian University, University of Maine at Presque Isle, College of Santa Fe (N.M.), Southeastern University (Fla.) and Talladega College (Ala.) were approved by the NAIA Council of Presidents. These seven institutions bring to 11 the total number of new NAIA members in 2007-08, joining four colleges and universities approved this past fall at the NAIA Council of Presidents meeting in Kansas City, Missouri:  Indiana University East, Life University (Ga.), St. Catherine College (Ky.) and Soka University (Calif.).

"These institutions see value in the NAIA's approach to character-driven intercollegiate athletics and share in the Association's commitment to high standards and to the principle that participation in athletics serves as an integral part of the total education process," said Jim Carr, NAIA President and CEO. "I look forward to working with these respected colleges and universities to further develop the NAIA's niche in the dynamic intercollegiate athletics landscape."

The national office works closely with member conferences to identify prospective members in the region. NAIA conferences are highly involved throughout the evaluation process to ensure a good fit for prospective institutions at both the conference and national levels. The NAIA will continue to work with conferences in identifying prospective schools for NAIA membership.

These eleven institutions join an Association that was founded in 1937, and is a leader in the development of student-athletes and continues to be a pioneer in implementing exceptional standards for academics, diversity and character. Those standards are evident not only on the campuses of member institutions, but in the competitive arena.

The association provides exclusive opportunities for over 45,000 young men and women to achieve academically while competing for the love of the game. NAIA member institutions award millions of dollars through athletic aid to eligible student-athletes and create an environment where competitive athletics, academic excellence and character walk hand in hand.

To learn more about the NAIA visit www.naia.org.

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About Indiana University East
Indiana University East is east central Indiana's leader in baccalaureate and graduate education, offering over 60 Indiana University degree program options to residents of east central Indiana and west central Ohio. IU East will now pursue conference membership in the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletics Conference. IU East will compete in women's volleyball, men's basketball and men's golf. Plans for men's and women's cross country and women's golf to start in fall of 2008 are underway.

To learn more about Indiana University East visit www.iue.edu.  

About Life University
Life University returns to the NAIA after not sponsoring an intercollegiate athletics program for several years. The current administration is excited about incorporating the athletic program and college community with a strong focus on academics and character. Life University is working with NAIA member schools in its region and strengthening relationships since their departure from the NAIA. 

Founded in 1974, Life University has a long history of being recognized nationally for its innovative chiropractic program and commitment to providing a high-quality undergraduate and graduate education. Life University has the distinction of being Georgia's highly selective chiropractic college and boasts superior programs in the fields of biology, biopsychology, business administration, computer information management, dietetics, life coaching, nutrition, psychology and sport health science. The athletics program at Life University is designed to provide students with new and exciting competitive experiences outside the classroom and on the field of competition. Life will sponsor men's basketball, volleyball, cross country, golf and tennis and pursue membership in the Southern States Athletics Conference and the Mid-South Conference.

To learn more about Life University visit www.life.edu.

About St. Catharine College
St. Catharine College is an independent Catholic College that provides quality undergraduate education and offers degrees in a variety of academic areas and professional programs. Saint Catharine College, founded in 1931, is a small liberal arts college offering a unique residential collegiate experience totally dedicated to helping each student realize his or her full potential. St. Catharine will sponsor baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's golf, men's and women's soccer, softball and volleyball. The college plans to pursue membership in the Mid-South Conference.

To learn more about St. Catharine College visit www.sccky.edu.

About Soka University of America
Soka University of America (SUA) is an independent, non-profit, public-benefit, co-educational, comprehensive institution of higher learning. SUA serves both national and international students. Founded on the Buddhist principles of peace, human rights and the sanctity of life, SUA is open to students of all beliefs and is committed to diversity in its academic community. Based on SUA's educational philosophy, Soka Intercollegiate Athletics has been founded to provide opportunity to students as part of the complete collegiate experience. The traditional elite-level academic institutions have always provided opportunities to enjoy intercollegiate athletics, either as a competitor for the exceptional student-athlete, as a fan for the student as an undergraduate, or as a touchstone to the campus as a proud alumnus. In each of these circumstances, teams fielded by SUA will add enrichment to the lives of SUA students and the community. SUA will sponsor men's and women's soccer, men's and women's cross country, track and field and men's and women's swimming and diving. The university plans to pursue membership in the Golden State Athletic Conference.

To learn more about Soka University of America visit www.soka.edu.

About Ave Maria University
Athletics are an indispensable part of the Ave Maria experience. The program provides competitive opportunities to students which cultivate the qualities of leadership, character development, teamwork and the pursuit of excellence.  The ultimate objective of Ave Maria University Athletics is to integrate academic and athletic experiences successfully. In order to uphold this primary objective, the athletic program ensures that every student participating in any intercollegiate, intramural, or club sport, is a student first. Therefore, athletic programs are developed and maintained in an environment where academic pursuits have priority and all students are expected to maintain the proper balance between athletics and academics. Ave Maria University is committed to the philosophy that academic excellence and athletic excellence are mutually compatible. Ave Maria University will sponsor men's and women's basketball, men's and women's soccer and men's golf in 2008-09.

To learn more about Ave Maria University visit www.avemaria.edu.

About Cincinnati Christian University
Cincinnati Christian University's nine sports will be phased in over a three-year period with men's basketball and men's soccer moving into the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and NAIA ranks this upcoming season. Women's basketball and women's soccer will move in 2009-10 and all other sports by 2010-11. Cincinnati Christian University athletics exists to teach men and women to live by Biblical principles and to equip and empower them with skills, insight and vision to lead.

To learn more about Cincinnati Christian College visit www.ccuniversity.edu.

About Kentucky Christian University
Kentucky Christian University has built its superb reputation on sound academics in which faith is integrated with learning and through active student mentoring by faculty who exemplify the scholarship of teaching. KCU football will begin play as an NAIA member in the fall 2008 and an alliance with the Mid-South Conference will begin in the fall of 2009. Kentucky Christian University will sponsor men's and women's basketball, women's volleyball, men's and women's soccer and men's and women's cross country.

To learn more about Kentucky Christian University visit www.kcu.edu.

About University of Maine at Presque Isle
The mission and philosophy of the University of Maine at Presque Isle Athletic Program is to develop the student-athlete for success in the classroom as well as at all levels of team and individual participation. The welfare of each student and his or her academic success is the most important objective of the athletic department. The intention is to guide, educate and graduate all student-athletes. The staff of the Department of Athletics supports the student-athletes as they strive to demonstrate high principles of scholarship, service learning, sportsmanship, teamwork and citizenship. Athletic competition brings with it high expectations of performance and teamwork. Student-athletes develop through discipline, hard work, and perseverance. The University of Maine at Presque Isle will sponsor men's and women's soccer, women's volleyball, men's and women's cross country, men's golf, men's and women's basketball, softball and baseball.

To learn more about the University of Maine at Presque Isle visit www.umpi.maine.edu.

About College of Santa Fe
College of Santa Fe provides student-athletes with an opportunity to further develop their athletic, creative and educational talents in a supportive culturally rich environment. The athletics department prepares students for their future career by promoting academic excellence and successful completion of a bachelor's degree within the college's academic framework. College of Santa Fe will sponsor men's and women's tennis, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's cross country, softball and baseball.

To learn more about College of Santa Fe visit www.csf.edu.

About Southeastern University
Southeastern University develops student-athletes holistically, physically, academically and spiritually and fosters character, servant leadership and the development of life skills while providing a professional environment in Christian athletics. The athletic department will constantly seek to provide the most professional atmosphere for its athletes and coaching staff so they may compete at the highest level. While Southeastern continues to pursue athletic excellence, it is not a "win-at-all-cost" institution. It is a "character-at-all-cost" institution. Southeastern University will sponsor men's and women's soccer, women's volleyball, men's golf, men's and women's basketball, baseball and women's tennis.

To learn more about Southeastern University visit www.seuniversity.edu.  

About Talladega College
Talladega College is building the future one student at a time. The Talladega College experience cultivates special, lifelong relationships that lead to a heightened sense of self, intellectual enlightenment and a greater appreciation of others. As Alabama's oldest private historically black liberal arts college, Talladega currently sponsors men's and women's basketball and has plans to integrate volleyball, baseball and men's and women's golf in the future. Activities provided by the Department of Athletics at Talladega College are structured for the student who desires to be involved in competitive athletics and has the belief that participation is an important aspect of the college experience. Talladega College athletics provides the opportunity for students to develop leadership skills, organizational skills, and the ability to work as productive team members.

To learn more about Talladega College visit www.talladega.edu.

NAIA
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) is the governing body for athletics programs at its nearly 300 colleges and universities throughout the United States and Canada. The long-held mission of the NAIA is to promote the education and development of well-rounded students and productive citizens through intercollegiate athletics. The association offers equitable access and opportunities for participation in its 23 national championship events held annually throughout the country.

Today, the NAIA strengthens its commitment to student-athletes and strives to enrich their college experience by supporting academic achievement and character development. NAIA Champions of Character is the association's innovative flagship program designed to instill character values in student-athletes, coaches and youth in the communities it serves.