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We've pushed the limits of possibilities and have created a playbook for success that doesn't stop at the buzzer.

student-athletes found a home at the NAIA

One Zoom Call. One Tinted Visor. One Ticket Home

Tuva Hammarlund chose a university she had never visited. Josiah Winans returned to football after two season-ending injuries, unsure whether anyone would see beyond his visual impairment. Henry Ngang arrived on campus five days after ACL surgery, wearing a brace, walking on crutches and wondering what his future would hold. Not exactly the easiest first-day-of-college […]

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baseball team cheering

NAIA 2026 Trends Report

Each year, Return on Athletics® (ROA) captures data from across the organization to tra...

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student-athletes found a home at the NAIA

One Zoom Call. One Tinted Visor. One Ticket Home

Tuva Hammarlund chose a university she had never visited. Josiah Winans returned to foo...

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high jump

What is Return on Athletics® (ROA)?

Return on Athletics® (ROA) is a free NAIA member resource that helps institutions make ...

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male swimmer

What the PCSA Could Mean for Small Colleges

FROM THE PRESIDENT The Protect College Sports Act (PCSA) was introduced in Ma...

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two women's basketball players' headshots side by side

Two Decisions. One Direction

It didn’t happen the same way for both of them. It didn’t look the same. It didn’t feel...

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Track & Field Team Celebration

Why Mental Health Support is a Competitive Advantage for Small Colleges

As pressure, expectations, and external stressors continue to build for student-athlete...

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emerging sport: women's wrestling

Why Emerging Sports Have Become a Strategic Advantage for Small Colleges

Higher education continues to face pressure from declining enrollment, rising operation...

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Men's swim and dive team

Student-Athletes as Employees Would Devastate Small Colleges

The uncertainty around college athletics continues to pose unique challenges for smalle...

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women's volleyball team celebrate on court

What’s Driving the Rise in Net Return from Athletics?

For small colleges and universities, athletics is about far more than game-day victorie...

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women's cross country team holding championship banner

What Does It Really Cost to Win in College Sports?

Every college hopes for conference titles, national rankings, and a packed trophy case....

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Women's Wrestling Championship

The First Association to Recognize Women’s Wrestling

When the NAIA introduced women’s wrestling as an invitational sport in 2018, there were...

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Football team holding championship banner

Football Roster Impacts Retention and Revenue

At many small colleges and universities, football plays a significant role, both on the...

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University of Saint Francis Women’s bowling player throwing a red bowling ball.

University of Saint Francis: Revitalizing Athletics with Data-Driven Insights ...

The University of Saint Francis (Ill.) has experienced a significant revitalization of ...

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Two basketball players are embracing in excitement with The Right Way to Play on the right-hand side.

Watch Now: Why the NAIA is the Right Way to Play  

At the national convention earlier this spring, the NAIA officially launched its new br...

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Two soccer players consulting their teammate in distress

Five Practical Steps to Foster a Positive Mental Health Culture on Your Team

Coaches play a crucial role in shaping a team’s mental health culture. However, determi...

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Two men’s lacrosse players jumping in celebration, wearing orange uniforms.

The Top Five Factors Influencing Student-Athlete Enrollment

Understanding the factors that influence student-athlete enrollment is fundamental to a...

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A group of cheerleaders wearing large yellow ribbons in their hair

Watch Now: College Athletics at a Crossroads

College athletics and the broader higher education sector are facing sustained headwind...

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A group of six women’s cross-country runners embracing.

The House Settlement: Required Roster Limit Changes will be a Temporary Fix

Anyone with even a minor interest in college athletics is aware of the House vs. NCAA l...

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Ottawa University’s women’s flag football team celebrating in front of the 2024 NAIA National Championship red banner.

Emerging Opportunities in Women’s Flag Football

As the first collegiate governing body to sanction women’s flag football, NAIA institut...

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Pink running shoes on a track starting block.

An Exploration of Factors Impacting First-Generation College Athlete Retention

In recent years, the landscape of college athletics has undergone a significant transfo...

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Dordt University’s women’s basketball team running towards each other in celebration.

The Value of Intercollegiate Athletics

The cost of attending college has been a topic of growing concern for students, parents...

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men's basketball

Can Sports Drive Enrollment?

Imagine stepping into uncharted territory with little guidance, yet possessing an unwav...

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women's golf

Lawrence Technological University: Increasing Enrollment and Changing Culture Th...

The landscape of college athletics is undergoing a seismic shift, fueled by a confluenc...

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