KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced last Tuesday April 17, the approval of OUAZ for association membership, effective July 1, 2018. Formal approval was voted upon by the NAIA Council of Presidents (COP) on April 15 at the annual NAIA National Convention. This brings the total number of NAIA member institutions to 253.
 
"This was a great day for OUAZ, as we continue to build a department of athletics that focuses on Christ, the student-athlete experience and excellence," said OUAZ Director of Athletics Kevin Steele. "The NAIA embraces the values that we espouse. The NAIA values the relationship between student-athletes and their coaches. They see coaches of character as role models and mentors for student-athletes which is exactly what we expect of our extraordinary coaches. The missions of OUAZ and the NAIA or closely aligned and it is our privilege to be a member of such an historically significant and currently relevant national association."
         
The 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 and championships in proper balance with the overall college educational experience. The student-athlete is the center of all NAIA experiences.
 
"We are very pleased at our acceptance into the NAIA for our new campus in Surprise, Arizona," said OUAZ Chancellor Kevin Eichner. "The OUAZ athletic department is staffed with exceptional coaches and administrative talent, and we have enjoyed an excellent inaugural year of athletic competition. For many years, our Ottawa University campus in Ottawa, Kansas has been proudly affiliated with and effectively competing in the NAIA. Now, our sister institution in the rapidly expanding Arizona market will be joining as well and we look forward to an equally rewarding experience for our student athletes, coaches, fans, and friends."
 
All 22 of the Spirit sanctioned sports will enter into full NAIA schedules starting in the fall of 2018. 18 sports will compete in the Golden State Athletics Conference (GSAC).
 
"We are excited to add Ottawa University Arizona to the GSAC membership for the 2018-19 season," said Mike Daniels, Commissioner of the Golden State Athletic Conference.  "Ottawa's mission fits the mold of the conference and its leaders have proven track records in the NAIA which point towards a successful future."
 
Spirit Football will compete in the Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) and the three remaining sports will compete as NAIA independents.
 
"The Sooner Athletic Conference was pleased to learn of Ottawa Arizona's official acceptance into NAIA membership, and we are excited to welcome the Spirit football team into our league this fall," said SAC Commissioner Stan Wagnon. "My congratulations go to director of athletics Kevin Steele and all others who have worked successfully to reach this milestone for the OUAZ athletic department."
 
The NAIA accepts new member applications annually with an October 1 deadline for the following academic year. Schools must meet membership criteria that include financial stability, sports sponsorship, accreditation, and a commitment to character-driven athletics. Enrollment numbers, graduation percentages, retention rates, and overall athletics budgets are also taken into consideration. The NAIA currently has more than 250 schools in its membership with more than 65,000 student-athletes.
   
 
About Ottawa University
Founded in 1865, Ottawa University prepares professional and liberal arts graduates for lifetimes of personal significance, vocational fulfillment and service to God and humanity within a Christ-inspired community of grace and open inquiry. Ottawa University is a comprehensive, not-for-profit educational institution serving 4,000 students through its residential campuses in Ottawa, Kan., and Surprise, Ariz., and adult campuses in Overland Park, Kan.; Phoenix, Queen Creek and Surprise, Ariz.; Brookfield, Wis.; Jeffersonville, Ind.; as well as online. For more information, visit www.ottawa.edu. 
 
For more information about OUAZ athletics, visit http://www.ottawa.edu/ouaz/athletics. Follow OUAZ athletics on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/OUAZSpiritAthletics/ and on Twitter twitter.com/OUAZSpirit.