Missouri Baptist University, William Woods University Accepted for Membership to the Heart of America Athletic Conference

The Heart of America Athletic Conference Council of President's approved for full membership two new members on Thursday, as Missouri Baptist University and William Woods University will join the conference in the 2025-26 academic year.

Both schools are also set to bring their affiliate membership sports, which the conference sponsors championships for in for the upcoming 2024-2025 academic year.

Missouri Baptist and William Woods will become the 14^th and 15^th full members of the conference.

"The Heart of America Council of Presidents are delighted to have Missouri Baptist University and William Woods University join us as we work together to provide the best inter-collegiate experiences for our student-athletes and support the unique missions of each of our institutions," said President David Spittal COP Chair and President of MidAmerica Nazarene University.

The Heart now becomes one of the largest conferences in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

Missouri Baptist is located in St. Louis, Missouri and currently competes in the Heart in the sports of football and men's volleyball.

The Spartans will now participate in the following sports in the Heart in 2025-26: baseball, softball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's bowling, men's and women's cross country, football, men's and women's golf, men's and women's lacrosse, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's indoor track & field, men's and women's outdoor track & field, competitive cheer, competitive dance, esports, men's and women's volleyball, men's and women's wrestling. 

"First of all, we would like to thank the Council of Presidents and Commissioner Nik Rule for the opportunity," said Missouri Baptist Director of Athletics, Jeff Fore. "Missouri Baptist University is extremely excited about our move to the Heart of America Conference, and in being a member of one of the premier conferences in all the NAIA. As a University with a rich tradition of athletic excellence we feel that being a member of the Heart will only enhance our success as an institution while providing increased opportunities for our student-athletes. We also look forward to the new rivalries that will be formed and the relationships that will be built with a group of outstanding institutions."

"Missouri Baptist University is incredibly excited to become a member of the Heart of America Athletic Conference!" said Missouri Baptist University President, Dr. Keith Ross. "It is clear MBU's values, commitment to academic and athletic excellence align well with those of HOA member schools and the Conference as a whole. We look forward to a high level of athletic competition and a spirit of camaraderie as MBU complements and supports the Heart of America Conference's commitment to holistic development of student athletes now and into the future."

William Woods is located in Fulton, Missouri and currently competes in women's wrestling and football in the upcoming fall of 2024 the Heart.

The Owls will now participate in the following sports in the Heart in 2025-26:

baseball, softball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's bowling, men's and women's cross country, football, men's and women's golf, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's indoor track & field, men's and women's outdoor track & field, competitive cheer, competitive dance, women's volleyball, men's and women's wrestling.

"This is an exciting day for William Woods University Athletics, and we believe that the future is bright, with a lot of opportunity in front of us in the Heart of America Athletic Conference," said William Woods Director of Athletics, Steve Wilson. "The growth we've experienced and will continue to experience required that we evaluate our conference affiliation, and as we reviewed the mission and vision of each Heart member, it became evident that this was the right next step in affiliation for The Woods. Our institutional tradition is rich, with a history of successful athletic programs, and we will continue to honor that history while we prepare for our future in the Heart. We are grateful for Commissioner Nik Rule and the leaders of these great institutions. This is a dynamic group of schools, and we're excited to join them."

"Today, we embark upon a new era for William Woods University, our athletic department and most importantly, our student-athletes, with our move to the Heart of America Conference," said William Woods University President, Dr. Jeremy L. Moreland. "In these exciting times of growth for our university, both academically and athletically, it was imperative that we carefully assessed our conference affiliation to ensure that it was the right fit for William Woods. The Heart of America Conference is just that – competitively, financially and logistically a strong fit – and we could not be more excited to become a new member."

The Heart of America Athletic Conference currently includes the following 13 institutions: Baker University (Baldwin City, Kan.), Benedictine College (Atchison, Kan.), Central Methodist University (Fayette, Mo.), Clarke University (Dubuque, Iowa), Culver-Stockton College (Canton, Mo.), Graceland University (Lamoni, Iowa), Grand View University (Des Moines, Iowa), MidAmerica Nazarene University (Olathe, Kan.), Missouri Valley College (Marshall, Mo.), Mount Mercy University (Cedar Rapids, Iowa), Park University (Parkville, Mo.), Peru State College (Peru, Neb.) and William Penn University (Oskaloosa, Iowa).

"We are excited to welcome Missouri Baptist University and William Woods University to the Heart of America," Heart Commissioner Nik Rule expressed. "Both bring strong leadership, a clear vision, and a blend of academic and athletic excellence that will prove to be a great fit for our future. We're excited to build lasting relationships with these universities, their administrators, staff, student-athletes, coaches, and fans."

About the Heart of America Athletic Conference:

Founded in 1971, the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) marked its 50th year during the 2020-21 season. All 13 conference schools are members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

The Heart sponsors the following 26 championship sports:

baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's bowling, men's and women's cross country, football, men's and women's golf, men's and women's lacrosse, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's indoor track & field, men's and women's outdoor track & field, competitive cheer, competitive dance, esports, men's and women's volleyball, men's and women's wrestling, softball.

Since 2010, the Heart has won 18 NAIA National Championships amongst seven different sports (women's basketball, men's wrestling, men's basketball, men's golf, men's soccer, competitive cheer and men's volleyball).