IUPUC gains full membership to NAIA

IUPUC on Wednesday announced it has received full membership to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. The university said with the membership, it will officially join the River States Conference for competition beginning this fall.

IUPUC announced last April that the NAIA had approved its application to join the association. The university launched its athletics program last fall as an associate member with men’s and women’s cross country, followed by baseball and softball this spring.

In order to achieve the full membership status, schools must meet several criteria, including financial stability, sports sponsorship, an accreditation. The NAIA also takes other factors into consideration, including athletics facilities, enrollment numbers and retention rates.

Gaining full membership to the NAIA makes the university eligible for postseason competition.

“None of this would be possible without close collaboration between our athletics staff, admissions and recruiting, UCOL, and staff and faculty throughout IUPUC,” Reinhold Hill, vice chancellor and dean at IUPUC, said in a news release. “I look forward to the remainder of our seasons this year and the addition of additional sports next year.”

IUPUC Athletic Director Zach McClellan said the university currently has 50 student athletes participating in sports this spring. An additional 80 are committed for various sports next year.

IUPUC said it will add men’s and women’s soccer and women’s volleyball in the 2023-24 academic year and is considering adding men’s and women’s golf and men’s and women’s basketball teams.