New NAIA Schools for 2027–28: Christian Brothers, Manchester, Salem and Yavapai Join the NAIA
Four schools will join the NAIA in the 2027–28 academic year: Christian Brothers University (Tennessee), Manchester University (Indiana), Salem University (West Virginia) and Yavapai College (Arizona). The NAIA announced the new members on September 28, 2026. Three of the schools are leaving the NCAA, and one is moving up from the NJCAA junior college level.
For high school athletes and their parents, that means four more programs building their first NAIA rosters, with athletic scholarships on the table. Below you'll find what each school brings, which conference it joins and what the move means for your recruiting. All four schools are already updated in the College Pipe university database.
Which schools are joining the NAIA in 2027–28?
Christian Brothers University (Memphis, TN): from NCAA Division II to the Mid-South Conference, 17 sports
Manchester University (North Manchester, IN): from NCAA Division III to the Crossroads League, 21 sports
Salem University (Salem, WV): from NCAA Division II to the River States Conference (expected), 15 sports
Yavapai College (Prescott, AZ): from the NJCAA to the Great Southwest Athletic Conference (GSAC), 7 sports
Source: NAIA announcement. Salem is seeking River States membership; the other three conference moves are confirmed.
Christian Brothers University (Memphis, TN)
NCAA Division II to the Mid-South Conference
Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tennessee, leaves NCAA Division II and joins the NAIA's Mid-South Conference with 17 sports. For the Buccaneers it is a homecoming: they competed in the NAIA before moving to the Gulf South Conference in 1996.
The soccer programs have been especially successful, bringing home multiple conference titles. Soccer plays at Signaigo Field, while basketball and volleyball use Canale Arena (CBU athletics).
What it means for recruits: CBU's athletics teams include men's and women's soccer, basketball, volleyball, baseball and softball. Soccer players should take a closer look, given the program's history of conference titles. Start by comparing CBU with other programs on the College Pipe soccer page.
Manchester University (North Manchester, IN)
NCAA Division III to the Crossroads League
Manchester University in North Manchester, Indiana, moves from NCAA Division III to the NAIA with 21 sports, the most of the four new members. The Spartans currently play in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference.
In 2027–28 they become the Crossroads League's 11th member and its first addition since Mount Vernon Nazarene joined in 2010. The Crossroads is one of the NAIA's most successful leagues: its teams won five national titles in a single year.
The move matters for recruits because NCAA Division III schools do not offer athletic scholarships, while NAIA schools can. Ask Manchester's coaches directly how their scholarship offers will look for the 2027–28 roster.
What it means for recruits: With 21 sports, Manchester has the widest range of teams among the four new members, and a move from no athletic aid to scholarship-eligible sports. Changes like this are exactly the openings we describe in 3 reasons college program changes can be your ticket to a scholarship.
Salem University (Salem, WV)
NCAA Division II back to the NAIA
Salem University in Salem, West Virginia, leaves NCAA Division II for the NAIA with 15 sports. The school is seeking membership in the River States Conference, so that conference home is expected rather than confirmed.
The Tigers know the NAIA well. They were a charter member of the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in 1924 and spent decades competing in the NAIA. Their best-remembered season came in 1975, when football won the regional title and reached the NAIA national championship game.
What it means for recruits: Because the River States Conference membership is still pending, ask Salem's coaches which conference schedule they expect for 2027–28. If you are still working out where you fit, our overview of college divisions compares the NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA levels.
Yavapai College (Prescott, AZ)
NJCAA to the Great Southwest Athletic Conference
Yavapai College (Athletics) in Prescott, Arizona, moves from the NJCAA to the NAIA's Great Southwest Athletic Conference (GSAC) with 7 sports. It is the only one of the four coming from the junior college level.
The Roughriders bring 16 national championships, including 7 in men's soccer. Their unbeaten 1997 soccer team won the program's third national title and is in the NJCAA Hall of Fame. Longtime coach Mike Pantalione retired as the NJCAA's all-time leader in wins, with 636.
What it means for recruits: Yavapai has the fewest sports of the four, but one of the most decorated athletic histories. Soccer players looking for a program with a winning culture should put it on their list and compare it with other options on the College Pipe soccer page.
What do the new NAIA members mean for college recruiting?
Four more NAIA programs means more roster spots and more scholarship conversations, starting with the recruiting classes now being built for 2027–28.
More scholarship options. NAIA schools can offer athletic scholarships, often combined with academic aid. The biggest change is at Manchester, because NCAA Division III schools do not give athletic scholarships.
Coaches are building their first NAIA rosters now. Athletes graduating in 2027 are the first class these programs will bring into the NAIA, so early contact counts.
Register with the NAIA Eligibility Center. Every athlete who wants to play at an NAIA school needs to be cleared there. Our guide on how to get recruited walks through where eligibility fits in the process.
Make it easy for coaches to evaluate you. Send a short email with your highlight video link near the top, your key stats, your graduation year and your academic information. If a coach doesn't answer, our tips on writing follow-up emails help you stay on their radar.
FAQ: New NAIA member schools for 2027–28
When do the new NAIA schools start competing?
All four schools begin NAIA membership in the 2027–28 academic year. Their coaches are recruiting for those rosters now, provided they have been hired and have a mandate to recruit.
Which conferences are the new NAIA members joining?
Christian Brothers University joins the Mid-South Conference, Manchester University the Crossroads League and Yavapai College the Great Southwest Athletic Conference (GSAC). Salem University is expected to join the River States Conference.
Do NAIA schools offer athletic scholarships?
Yes. NAIA schools can award athletic scholarships, and many combine them with academic aid. Amounts vary by school and sport, so find out when in your exchange with coaches what is available for your recruiting class.
Is Salem University confirmed in the River States Conference?
Not yet. Salem is seeking River States membership; the conference moves of the other three schools are confirmed.
Where can I follow other college program changes?
College Pipe tracks new programs, cuts and division moves in regular updates, such as College Athletic Program Changes: Summer 2025 Updates. All NAIA-related articles are collected under the NAIA tag on our blog.
Find NAIA programs that fit you on College Pipe
Ready to find out whether one of the new NAIA members is right for you? On College Pipe you select your sport, build your recruiting profile, see your Personal Fit with each college team and contact coaches directly, across NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA programs. All four new members are already in the database with their 2027–28 conference (how College Pipe works for athletes).
Create your College Pipe recruiting profile and start reaching out to coaches while the 2027–28 rosters are still open.
