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�鶹ԭ�� Athletics has joined the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) as a full member, following a vote at the association’s 2026 National Convention Sunday. In tandem, the Great Southwest Athletic Conference (GSAC) has approved �鶹ԭ�� State for provisional conference membership, marking a major step forward for the University’s growing athletics program. Both memberships are set to take effect July 1, 2026.

�鶹ԭ�� State’s full NAIA membership aligns its athletics programs with national standards while supporting continued competitive growth. Through GSAC affiliation, �鶹ԭ�� State’s athletic teams will be able to schedule conference play and, upon meeting eligibility requirements, compete in postseason championships. �鶹ԭ�� State is the first higher education institution in �鶹ԭ�� to be involved with both organizations.

“This milestone represents far more than membership; it’s an opportunity for our student-athletes to compete for championships, to measure themselves against top programs, and to experience the true spirit of collegiate athletics,” said Yvonne Wade, Director of Athletics at �鶹ԭ��. “We are excited to align with governing bodies that share our commitment to access, opportunity, and the holistic development of student-athletes. This partnership strengthens our mission at NSU, ensuring that our programs not only pursue excellence on the field of play, but also foster academic success, leadership, and community impact. We are just getting started, and the future of Scorpion Athletics has never been brighter.”

The NAIA is a national governing body for college athletics that primarily supports smaller institutions, with a focus on character-driven competition and balancing sports with the overall educational experience. Each year, more than 87,000 student-athletes compete within the NAIA, with access to over $1.3 billion in financial aid. The association also hosts 29 national championships, giving student-athletes the opportunity to compete at a high level while remaining grounded in academics and personal development.

At its convention, the NAIA Council of Presidents approved four new members. Champion Christian College (Hot Springs, Ark.), United States Sports University (Daphne, Ala.), Georgia Southern University – East Georgia Campus (Swainsboro, Ga.), and �鶹ԭ�� (Henderson, Nev.) who join Wesleyan College (Ga.) and Andrew College (Ga.), both voted in during NAIA Fall Meetings in September 2025.

“The addition of these four institutions, along with Wesleyan, who comes from NCAA Division III, and Andrew approved last fall, gives us a strong group of new members for 2026-27,” said NAIA President and CEO Jim Carr. “Welcoming these new members is a highlight for our association, as we continue to recruit and retain institutions that embrace and embody the NAIA’s core values of education-based athletics.”

GSAC is a collegiate athletics conference within the NAIA, made up of universities that are intentionally aligned in size, academics, athletics, and overall student experience. GSAC has developed a reputation as one of the top-performing conferences in the NAIA, with member schools collectively earning 53 national championships and producing numerous individual titleholders. Teams across the conference are consistently ranked among the NAIA Top 25 and regularly compete for regional and national honors.

“We are excited to welcome �鶹ԭ�� to the GSAC,” said GSAC Commissioner Mike Daniels. “Adding the first NAIA institution in the state of �鶹ԭ�� is a milestone for the association. We look forward to watching the Scorpions grow their athletics department and supporting their mission to expand opportunities to students within the state.”

“Today marks an exceptionally significant moment for �鶹ԭ�� as we are officially welcomed into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics,” said Acting President Dr. Amber Lopez Lasater. “This milestone reflects our commitment to expanding access and opportunity for student-athletes while building a program grounded in academic excellence, competitive integrity, and community engagement.”

Beginning in fall 2026, �鶹ԭ�� State will expand its athletics offerings beyond Women’s Flag Football and Men’s Track and Field. New programs will include Women’s Track and Field, Women’s and Men’s Indoor Track and Field, and Women’s and Men’s Cross Country. As part of its provisional GSAC membership, �鶹ԭ�� State also plans to add at least one additional sport for the 2027–28 academic year.

“As �鶹ԭ�� State continues to grow, athletics will play a critical role in shaping a vibrant campus experience and enhancing pathways to student success, leadership development, and long-term economic mobility,” Lopez Lasater continued. “We are proud to join an association whose mission and student-centered focus closely align with our own, and we look forward to contributing to the NAIA while creating meaningful opportunities for our students to thrive both on the field and in the classroom.”

To learn more about �鶹ԭ�� Athletics, visit https://nsuscorpions.com/.