(April 11, 2011) The National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) continues to see two major trends within our membership: 1) the rapid growth of Division I membership and, 2) the continued loss or movement of Division II institutions. It would be easy, on the surface, to credit or blame the association and/or leadership with one or both of these trends. However, the truth is that the return of former members Azusa Pacific University, California Baptist University, and Houghton College along with the moves from Division II to Division I by Southeastern University, Mid-America Christian University, Southwestern Christian University, Cincinnati Christian University, and, most recently, Point University (formerly Atlanta Christian College), are all self-motivated steps in larger processes of growth for their institutions. These returning members cite a renewed focus of their own institution’s Christian mission as a key motivator for renewing their affiliation with the NCCAA. We are keenly aware that a move from NAIA to NCAA II or III also creates a need for postseason opportunities for these schools. However, past criticism that the NCCAA was “being used” by similar institutions has proven invalid as the past seven NCCAA members that “came back” to the NCCAA while transitioning from the NAIA to the NCAA have all chosen to remain active and vital members of the NCCAA.

For the “in-house” members that chose to transition from NCCAA Division II to NCCAA Division I, the rationale has been the same each time. Each institution saw the need to become more diverse in their program offerings, develop at least a minimal athletic scholarship program, and to add additional athletic programs for enrollment purposes. This has often been met by accusations that such institutions have abandoned their Christian commitment since they are no longer choosing to serve as a Bible College or ministry/mission center. Some saw the whole process as an athletically motivated decision that led the whole institution to change but we all know that athletics does not carry that much weight on campus. Both of these accusations are invalid as several of these schools actually changed their model so they could be more ministry focused and impact more people via Business and Education majors. At day’s end, the ability to agree to disagree is required.

Within Christian Higher Education, the Christian liberal arts model is becoming the chosen model while the traditional Bible College model is still favored by those schools that can fiscally make that work. Those who cannot continue to function as solely a Bible College or center for ministerial studies, are either closing under financial pressures or adding programs to make themselves more competitive with prospective students within their region or denomination. Sadly, new Bible Colleges are not being opened and those who currently exist without athletics are not looking to add the additional expense. Then you have the small group of Bible Colleges that do have some type of athletic program but do not possess, and will not seek, ABHE, TRACS or regional accreditation (required for NCCAA membership). All of these decisions/dilemmas have completely flipped the NCCAA membership that was 60% Division II and 40% Division I just five years ago. In 2011-12, it is projected, that Division I will consist of 64 members and Division II will consist of 38 members. New postseason models and formats are currently being reviewed for both divisions as are the specific definitions for what qualifies an institution as Division I or II. The answers to these questions will not be easily found and the resulting policies required by those answers will excite some members and anger others. Finding that balance will be critical for all involved!

Outside of the pure athletic components of the NCCAA, the association has never been healthier. The member institutions, both on their own and via Regional/National CSPs (Christian Service Projects), are giving back to local communities and the world more than ever. In 2009-10, NCCAA Championship participants secured and delivered over 16,000 pounds of food and contributed 6,500 hours of community service to the 20 host cities. These hours included landscape work, sorting clothes at thrift stores, praying over local community leaders, sharing in chapels at elementary schools, and spending time with senior adults in nursing homes. “This is truly what we need all NCCAA coaches and student-athletes to be champions of,” states one NCCAA Board of Directors member. He added, “The NCAA and, on a smaller but increasing level, the NAIA, are the leaders in the media saturated collegiate sports culture. That fills a necessary void within our culture but that is not the mission of the NCCAA. Using the tool of intercollegiate athletics to further the work of Christ, while creating and funding corporate service opportunities for our membership, is our #1 priority.”

The NCCAA budget continues to see 62% of all income being derived from an increasingly diverse donor base. Membership dues in 2010-11 comprised 33% of the annual operating budget. Because of the number of dual members we share with the NCAA II & III and the NAIA, we cannot simply duplicate their dues structure. On the other hand, our Division II schools are generally financially challenged and to create a dues model where membership funded 50-55% of the income annually would eliminate several schools. This growing support from our donor base is the real highlight within the NCCAA today! Individuals, many with no NCCAA member ties, are seeing the need and the benefit of supporting the only faith-based, four-year intercollegiate athletic association with their charitable giving.

The answer to this giving increase and new fiscal health is directly related to the NCCAA’s strategic planning session in 2004 when MISSION became the key distinctive for the association. While championships and sport specific activities continue to see improved venues, more sponsorships being sold, increased Regional Championship participation, and better Preferred Vendor relationships, the NCCAA can clearly lay claim to being mission driven which is what our membership (Presidents, coaches, and staff), donors, and Board of Directors have asked for since 2004.

The intercollegiate athletic world is as frenetic as anytime in its history. Movement from one association to another, movement within associations, and the growth of for-profit and online institutions, have created the need for some to freeze growth while others embrace the increased interest of programs. Title IX compliance is improving but still is misinterpreted by some while being ignored by others. At one end of the spectrum, the need for rules and policies to address agents and the quasi-professionalism of freshmen is outdated as soon as it is put into place. In the middle of the spectrum, the fight to maintain a valid membership and define what exactly makes a member the proper fit is paramount. Meanwhile at the bottom of the intercollegiate sports totem pole (based upon cultural awareness and support), the NCCAA is challenged with membership growth (Division I) and decline (Division II) at the same time. We continue to strive to make our championship atmospheres more impressive and exciting for participants and fans. We continue to try to mesh together an eligibility system that incorporates NCCAA only, NAIA dual, NCAA II dual, and NCAA III dual members. Thankfully, all of these procedural items are not and will not be our main focus or sense of frustration. Our focus will continue to be serving the mission of this association within the platform of the Cross of Christ.