KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) is excited to announce the addition of two new members, Trinity Western University, and Mount Mary University (Wis.) The Council of Presidents voted to approve their membership on Sunday, October 6, at the annual fall meeting.

"The NAIA is pleased to welcome Mount Mary and Trinity Western as our newest members," said NAIA President & CEO Jim Carr. "These institutions exemplify a strong commitment to character-driven athletics and will enrich our association with their distinctive contributions."

Six of the Trinity Western Spartans teams will join the NAIA, including men's and women's cross country, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field. Trinity Western will become an active NAIA member in the fall of 2025 and is planning to join the Cascade Collegiate Conference.

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Trinity Western Director of Athletics Jeff Gamache
"We are thankful for the thorough process laid out by the NAIA for us to join. We will work hard to be a member that raises the level of competition while furthering the ideals of fair play and holistic development that NAIA holds dear."
Mount Mary University is a private, all-women's liberal arts institution located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Mount Mary is currently affiliated with the NCAA Division III and sponsors six women's sports programs: basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, and volleyball. Mount Mary will become an active NAIA member in the fall of 2025 and is planning to join the Chicago Collegiate Athletic Conference. 

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Mount Mary University President Isabelle Cherney
"The NAIA serves the interests of small institutions like ours and is a perfect fit for us. We will now be able to recruit student-athletes with scholarships, attracting new talent and improving the student-athlete and visitor experience. I anticipate an exciting new season with a fresh group of competitors, and above all, I am thrilled about the NAIA's shared values of character-driven athletics."

The NAIA has added 25 new members since 2020, including six institutions from the NCAA.
To become NAIA members, institutions must meet membership criteria that include financial stability, sports sponsorship, accreditation, and a commitment to character-driven athletics. Athletics facilities, enrollment numbers, retention rates, and overall financial commitment to athletics are also considered.

The NAIA reviews member applications in two cycles. Institutions can apply by April 15 to receive a decision in October or by October 15 to receive a decision in April.

ABOUT NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS (NAIA) 
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., is a governing body of small athletics programs that are dedicated to character-driven intercollegiate athletics. NAIA members provide more than 83,000 student-athletes with opportunities to play college sports, earn $1.3 billion in scholarships and compete in 29 national championships. naia.org | @NAIA

ABOUT SPARTAN ATHLETICS
As official members of U SPORTS, the Spartans currently compete in 13 sports in the Canada West conference, including women's and men's soccer, volleyball, basketball, hockey, cross country and track & field, as well as women's rugby sevens. TWU also competes as an independent team in men's rugby and women's and men's disc golf. Since TWU entered U SPORTS in 1999, the Spartans have won 14 U SPORTS team championships and 34 Canada West team championships.

ABOUT TRINITY WESTERN UNIVERSITY
Recognized for quality, TWU has received seven consecutive A+ rankings for Quality of Teaching and Learning, holds three Canada Research Chairs, and wins national championships in CIS sports. More importantly, lives are changed at TWU through its whole-person, Christ-centred approach to education. With a wide array of undergraduate, graduate, and adult degree-completion programs, TWU equips leaders of character and competence to make a positive impact in the lives of others.  

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