NAIA FAQ
What is the 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. Since 1937, the NAIA has administered programs dedicated to championships in balance with the overall college educational experience. Each year more than 83,000 NAIA student-athletes have the opportunity to play college sports, earn over $1.3 billion in scholarships, and compete for a chance to participate in 28 national championships.
Will Defiance College be able to offer athletic scholarships?
Yes! They are also stackable with Academic Merit scholarships
What conference will Defiance compete in? What schools are in that conference?
The Yellow Jackets will be the 13th member of the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference. Formed in 1992, the WHAC represents areas of Indiana, Michigan and Ohio in the former footprint of NAIA District 23. The other members of the conference include Aquinas College (Grand Rapids, MI), Cleary University (Howell, MI), Concordia University (Ann Arbor, MI), Cornerstone University (Grand Rapids, MI), Indiana Tech (Fort Wayne, IN), Lawrence Tech (Southfield, MI), Lourdes University (Sylvania, OH), Madonna University (Livonia, MI), Rochester University (Rochester Hills, MI), Siena Heights University (Adrian, MI), University of Michigan Dearborn (Dearborn, MI), and the University of Northwestern Ohio (Lima, OH).
Since there are only four other WHAC schools that field football teams (Concordia, Siena Heights, Madonna and Lawrence Tech), the conference’s football schools are partnered with the Mid-State Football Association. In addition to Concordia, Siena Heights, Madonna and Lawrence Tech, the MSFA also includes Indiana Wesleyan (Marion, IN), Judson University (Elgin, IL), Marian University (Indianapolis, IN), Olivet Nazarene University (Bourbonnais, IL), the University of St. Francis (Joliet, IL), University of Saint Francis (Fort Wayne, IN), and Taylor University (Upland, IN).
What was the process for this change?
The exploratory process for this affiliation change officially started in February 2023 when a task force was assembled to conduct critical research and gather information to discover if the NAIA was a potential fit for Defiance College. Following the arrival of AD Selhorst in May 2023, the task force’s data led to a formal application submitted to the NAIA. The next stage resulted in separate campus visits by representatives from the WHAC and NAIA in August. Following votes of acceptance by the WHAC and NAIA’s membership committee, Defiance College’s Board of Trustees approved the transfer to the NAIA to make the move official.
When will the change happen?
Defiance College becomes a full member of the NAIA on July 1, 2024, with competition beginning in the fall of 2024.
How does NAIA differ from NCAA Division III?
The primary difference is NAIA’s focus on small schools like Defiance College. As Defiance has experienced before, the NAIA has a long-standing tradition of excellence in athletics and academics since 1940. NCAA Division III does not permit athletic scholarships while the NAIA does to reward the dedication of student-athletes rather than incentivize on passion alone. Defiance College athletes will also gain training in the NAIA’s Champions of Character program to instill the core values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership at the heart of the athletic experience.
What about our rivalries?
Rivalries among small colleges can endure the changing climate of college athletics. Many of Defiance’s current rivalries were formed during the NAIA era and continued after other institutions and Defiance went through the process of moving to the NCAA. NAIA schools commonly compete against DIII teams for non-conference games for this reason, and that is the anticipation for Defiance to preserve the most meaningful rivalry games. Given the geography of the WHAC, Defiance is well-positioned to start new rivalries fueled by highly competitive contests across the spectrum.
What sports will Defiance sponsor at the NAIA level?
All of Defiance’s current sports will remain sponsored varsity sports at the NAIA level. These include baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, football, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s soccer, softball, men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track and field, volleyball and wrestling. WHAC-sponsored wrestling gives Defiance’s wrestling program a chance to compete for conference wrestling titles for the first time since restarting the program. Competitive cheer and dance also get elevated into varsity competition along with Esports partnership within the WHAC. The college will also explore additional sports to add at the appropriate time.
What other schools are also NAIA?
NAIA members can be explored using the Interactive Membership Map on the NAIA website. You can also click here to explore more about the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference and click here for more about the Mid-States Football Association.
How can I get recruited?
Athletes interested in learning more about Defiance College athletics can fill out a Recruit Profile Form on DefianceAthletics.com by clicking here.
Does this affect a current student-athlete or prospective student-athlete’s eligibility for a merit scholarship?
All Defiance College students will remain eligible for a Merit Scholarship that is based on GPA to qualify.
What are the NAIA eligibility standards?
As part of the academic focus on NAIA, all student-athletes are required to meet at least a 2.3 GPA on a 4.0 scale, either cumulative college or as an incoming freshman.
Does the NAIA have a different recruiting timeline?
There are no contact restrictions or recruiting calendars in the NAIA. Defiance College must still adhere to the NCAA recruiting guidelines until the change of membership takes effect on July 1, 2024
Did you have a question that was not answered here?
Athletic Director Tiffani Selhorst is available to field questions from student-athletes, parents, alums and staff. All media inquiries can be directed to Garett Mansfield, Director of Athletic Communications. Contact information is available on the Defiance Athletics online directory by clicking here.