Southwestern Christian University (SCU) of Bethany, Oklahoma was accepted as a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Notification of acceptance into the NAIA happened on Sunday, April 11th, 2010 at the association's annual convention in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Council of Presidents unanimously accepted SCU into membership along with five other applicants. The addition of the six members brings total membership to 296 institutions of the 73 year old association.
SCU athletic teams, known as the Eagles, had been accepted into the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference (MCAC) in December, 2009 pending membership acceptance into the NAIA. The MCAC is made up eight institutions in Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska. Conference play for the Eagles will begin in the fall of 2010. SCU was a part of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) where they won numerous basketball national championships. Southwestern Christian University athletics include men's and women's basketball, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's cross country and track and field, women's volleyball, men's and women's golf, and men's and women's collegiate bowling. Although SCU has joined the NAIA, they will continue to compete in the NCCAA, but at the Division I level.
Longtime SCU Athletic Director, Mark Arthur is elated with NAIA membership news. "This is probably the greatest news in the history of our athletic program. This will help the university's recruiting, not only in athletics, but in general student recruitment. I have dreamed of NAIA affiliation for many years and now it is a reality."
Accredited by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Southwestern continues to transition from its historical role as a bible college to that of a Christian liberal arts university. Although a primary mission of the institution continues to be that of educating students in a Christian environment, its curriculum is expanding to include an array of business, education, social sciences and arts offerings.
For more information on SCU athletics or the NAIA, contact Athletic Director, Mark Arthur at mark.arthur@swcu.edu or by phone at 405-789-7661.
About the NAIA
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, 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. To learn more visit www.naia.org.
Posted on
Tue, May 4, 2010
by Hugh Morgan