Important Dates & Reminders
SEPTEMBER 1: Deadline to submit a facility certification to host an opening round in any sport.


SEPTEMBER 17: Deadline to nominate an individual or team for the Collegiate Student-Athlete of Character Award, which will be awarded at the Champions of Character® Luncheon on November 9. To nominate an individual or team, click here.

OCTOBER 3-4: NAIA Fall Meetings in Kansas City, Mo.

PAYMENT ADDRESS REMINDER:
All NAIA invoice payments should be mailed to:

NAIA
P.O. Box 410244
Kansas City, MO 64141

Note: This is separate from the discontinued P.O. Box no longer in operation for sending Eligibility Center transcripts.
News
NEW: Name, Image and Likeness Tips and Best Practices Now Available

A new document highlighting tips and best practices related to Name, Image and Likeness is now available to be shared with coaches and student-athletes. You can also visit the NAIA's NIL webpage for other resources.
NEW: Student-Athlete Mental Health Webinars (CEU for Athletic Trainers)

The national office, in partnership with Cutler Wellness and USCAH, is hosting two, one-hour webinars focused on student-athlete mental health.

Webinar #1: Staff and Coaches Discussion
Sunday, Sept. 5, 8 p.m. EST
Passcode: 651078

Webinar #2: Student-Athlete Discussion
Sunday, Sept. 12, 8 p.m. EST
Passcode: 054192

Both webinars will be recorded and made available to members by contacting Student-Athlete Experience & Development Director Robert Greim.
NEW: NAIAHelp Updates and Reminders

Please be sure to update your institutional NAIAHelp profiles before the academic year begins.

  • All ADs, registrars, FARs, and coaches must be accurate to certify eligibility.
  • SIDs must be entered correctly to receive critical information on the new Presto Stats system and how it affects the national statistical services.
  • All profiles now also require demographic information, which will help the NAIA establish benchmarks related to diversity, equity and inclusion.
NEW: ECP System Update

It has come to our attending that there is an ECP red flag when the TOA = 1 and the SOC = 1. The ECP system will not allow the student to be certified. This example is more prevalent now that many students were charged a season of competition last spring, but the term of attendance(s) reflect the COVID exception. We are advising schools to force these students eligible while our programmers work to fix this issue, which should be by the end of the week.
NEW: NAC Executive Committee Summaries

Summaries of the two most recent NAC Executive Committee Meetings are now available online:
2021-22 Official & Policy Handbook
Summer 2021 Rules Education Guide

The large number of COVID-related exceptions made in 2020-21 has resulted in uncertainty as to how the exceptions will affect student-athletes going forward. To assist with these questions, Legislative Services has created the Summer 2021 Rules Education Guide, which details how those COVID exceptions should be calculated and incorporated into ECP certificates. A Rules Education PPT is also available for training purposes.
NAIA National Office Job Openings

The NAIA national office has several open positions:
Five-Star Award Winners

Congratulations to the 157 institutions and 17 conferences that earned the Champions of Character® Five-Star Award Winner designation for 2020-21. The complete list of award winners can be found here.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
NEW: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Needs Assessment Survey

In partnership with our diversity consultant, Stan Johnson & Associates, the NAIA has created a DEI Assessment to help us understand how the NAIA can more effectively support our members’ DEI efforts. Your input is extremely valuable as we plan future DEI initiatives. The deadline for survey submission is August 31.  
NEW: Women Leaders Scholarships Available for HBCU Women

Women Leaders in College Sports has more than 50 scholarships available for HBCU women for a one year membership. This is a great opportunity to connect with leaders in the profession from across the country. Click here to check-out all the opportunities.
Eligibility
NEW: InCred Evaluation Update
Due to COVID-related staffing constraints, InCred evaluations are currently taking longer than the 10-day standard. InCred is doing all it can to best to assist students and members during this time, but response to email inquiries is also taking longer than usual.

Students continue to have the option to expedite their InCred evaluations and InCred remains in-service levels for expedited requests. Members can reach an InCred representative via phone at 816.595.8390 with any urgent needs.

InCred appreciates your patience as we work through the increased volume as quickly as possible.


NEW: EC by the Numbers

The following numbers reflect the eligibility center’s processing status as of August 23, 2021.
  • About 12,675 students are currently within the eligibility process*.
  • 37,071 students have begun registration for the 2021-22 academic year so far, 24,364 of whom have already received a decision.
*This includes students who have registered but not yet submitted their profiles, need to make payment, are in line for review and students whose reviews are currently underway.
 
For the past two weeks:
All (domestic and international) freshmen without a break.
  • We are issuing decisions for these students in an average of 0.33 business days from their ready date.
  • We are currently working on freshmen students without a break who became ready on 8/20/2021.
Domestic students with a break and transfers
  • We are issuing decisions for these students in an average of 8.47 business days from their ready date.
  • We are currently working on break/transfer students who became ready on 8/10/2021.
International students with a break and transfers
  • We are issuing decisions for these students in an average of 14.22 business days from their ready date.
  • We are currently working on international break/transfer students who became ready on 8/18/2021.


Submitting Summer Transcripts

Students enrolled in classes this summer will be required to submit final summer grades beginning September 1, 2021, in order to receive an eligibility decision. Students with summer 2021 enrollment who do not submit transcripts complete through summer 2021 will not be placed in line for review.
Sponsors
NEW: eTeamSponsor Webinar Recording

Last month, eTeamSponsor held a webinar for NAIA programs about their easy to use fundraising platform. Check out the highlights here.
NEW: Get a Jump on Your Travel Plans

Make your fall, winter and spring travel arrangements in advance. There is a current chip shortage in the auto industry. Contact Master’s Transportation to help you find a rental or lease.
NEW: Hudl's Swish 21

Register for Swish ’21, Hudl’s Basketball Coaches Conference on September 21-22, 2021
NEW: EFL Associates

Hear from NAIA members on how EFL Associates has been able to provide a customized experience for executive search process. 

Email or call Steve Waldron at (816) 945-5423
for more information.
NEW: 20% off at BSN Sports

Get 20% off when you shop online at BSNSPORTS.com by using flyer code NAIA2122 at checkout.
Return on Athletics®
ROA Research Brief #1: Retention Rate By Sport

Do certain sports retain better than others? Do men’s teams retain at a higher rate than women’s teams? How do the highest net return sports retain?

Through ROA data we began to examine these questions in our first in a series of research briefs -- Retention Rate By Sport. 
CONNECT WITH US