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KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI (September 29, 2026) — The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) added four new members for the 2027-28 academic year, as Christian Brothers University, Manchester University, Salem University and Yavapai College were approved Sept. 28, 2026 by the NAIA Council of Presidents.
“Each of these institutions brings its own identity, strengths, and ambitions to the NAIA. Together, they make our association stronger and demonstrate the appeal of an athletics model built around the priorities of our members,” said Jim Carr, NAIA president and CEO. “We are grateful to Christian Brothers, Manchester, Salem, and Yavapai for choosing the NAIA and embracing The Right Way to Play®. Their confidence in our association is a responsibility we take seriously, and we look forward to helping each institution achieve its vision for athletics and student success.”
The four-member class includes three institutions transitioning from the NCAA and one from the NJCAA, underscoring the NAIA’s ability to attract colleges and universities with different backgrounds and shared priorities. Christian Brothers and Salem currently compete in NCAA Division II, Manchester in NCAA Division III and Yavapai in the NJCAA.
- Christian Brothers University is a private Catholic university in Memphis, Tennessee that sponsors 17 sports and will join the Mid-South Conference.
- Manchester University has locations in North Manchester and Fort Wayne, Indiana and sponsors 21 sports and will join the Crossroads League.
- Salem University is located in Salem, West Virginia and sponsors 15 sports and is looking to join the River States Conference.
- Yavapai College in Prescott, Arizona sponsors seven sports and will join the Great Southwest Athletic Conference.
“These four institutions represent an important part of where NAIA membership recruitment is headed,” said Nick Davidson, NAIA Vice President for Membership Recruitment and Retention. “Christian Brothers, Salem, Manchester and Yavapai each took the time to evaluate how the NAIA could support their institution’s mission, students and long-term athletics strategy. Their decisions reflect the growing interest we are seeing from institutions across NCAA Division II, Division III and two-year athletics that are looking carefully at the role athletics can play within their broader institutional goals. We are excited to welcome these institutions to the NAIA and look forward to supporting their transitions, strengthening our membership, and continuing to build an Association that provides high-level competition within an education-based model of intercollegiate athletics.”
