COVID-19/Fall 2020
NEW: NAIA Screening App

To help support a safe return to sports, the NAIA has developed an online form to facilitate the daily submissions from each member institution. This submission is a “verification” of the daily screening process and not a submission of individual screening results. This online reporting tool will provide visibility regarding the implementation of each institution’s screening protocol and will be available prior to the August 15 start date. An email will be sent with the screening form details and support tools.
 
For additional info on the NAIA screening requirement, please refer to the screening FAQ’s. For questions or assistance, email [email protected].


NEW: Updated FAQs

The FAQs on the NAIA’s COVID-19 web page have been updated with information specific to the postponement of fall championships. Recent additions are denoted with the date the FAQ was posted, and they include information on:
 
·        COVID-19 testing
·        Declaration of intent
·        Threshold policy for national championships (50%)
·        Game limitations
·        Membership dues and other fees
 
In the coming weeks, several councils and committees will be convening to address additional questions related to terms of attendance, seasons of competition, championship dates and sites, and other key items. Notices will continue to be distributed to the membership when those decisions are made. Please email any questions to [email protected].
News
NEW: NAIA Kicks Off Strategic Planning Initiative
The NAIA recently launched an initiative to update its current strategic plan, which will be brought to COP for final approval in April 2021. Several membership groups will receive a survey in the next couple of weeks to provide a greater understanding of key challenges and opportunities our member institutions anticipate in the coming years. In October, the COP will review the plan's proposed, high-level focus areas, which will have incorporated the survey feedback. The pandemic has presented new challenges and opportunities in higher education and collegiate athletics and this strategic plan will chart a path for the NAIA’s future. 
NEW: Fundraiser for the ASA
Even though the fall 2020 championships had to be postponed until spring, NAIA institutions and student-athletes remain together at the core. To raise funds for the Association of Student-Athletes' well-being campaign, the NAIA is selling #NAIATogether t-shirts. You can order your t-shirt here.
Live5 Courses Discontinued
After assessing the appropriate audience intended for the Live5 courses, the NAIA has made the decision to discontinue Live5 for student-athletes. The NAIA Academy will continue to offer myPlaybook courses to support our champions of character philosophy. Please contact [email protected] with any questions.
Changes Coming to the Year-End Report
The NAIA's Year-End Report (YER) is undergoing changes in 2020. Traditionally, the YER has been due on September 30. Beginning in 2020, the deadline will be moved to December 1.

The extended deadline is to help schools prepare for the YER's new requirements, which will include Return on Athletics®
(ROA) data. Institutions that have previously submitted ROA data will already be familiar with the process. For institutions that have not participated in ROA, resources are available to assist with the submission process.

A benefit to the new data submission process is that all institutions will have access to the ROA Insights data analytics tool in spring 2021. For more information, contact Alan Grosbach at 816.595.8120.
Eligibility
NEW: Submitting Summer Transcripts

Students enrolled in classes this summer will be required to submit final summer grades beginning August 31, 2020 in order to receive an eligibility decision. Students with summer 2020 enrollment who do not submit transcripts complete through summer 2020 will not be placed in line for review.
Rules
Rule Modifications
The NAC Executive Committee passed rule modifications for several fall sports to help with physical distancing and student-athlete safety.
Championships
Opening Round Facility Certification
Member schools who wish to bid to host a national championship opening round for the 2020-21 year must have completed their facility certified to host. (Once approved, certifications last for five years.) The deadline for the certification application is September 1, 2020 for all sports. Facilities that were denied previously and have made facility improvements are encouraged to reapply. 
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