NAIA COUNCIL OF PRESIDENTS APPROVE FOUR NEW MEMBERS

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Council of Presidents (COP) met in Kansas City last week and approved membership applications from Benedictine University at Springfield (Ill.), Central Baptist (Ark.) College, Warren Wilson (N.C.) College and the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry. These institutions bring total NAIA membership to 290.

"The NAIA welcomes these four institutions and looks forward to working with campus leaders to advance character-driven intercollegiate athletics," said John Leavens, NAIA Senior Vice President for Membership Services. "I am confident these new members share in the long-held mission of the NAIA to promote the education and development of well-rounded students and productive citizens through intercollegiate athletics."

NAIA national office staff works closely with member conferences to identify prospective members. NAIA conferences are highly involved throughout the evaluation process to ensure a good fit for prospective institutions at both the conference and national levels. The NAIA will continue to work with each conference to identify prospective schools for NAIA membership.

These institutions join an Association that was founded in 1937, and is a leader in the development of student-athletes. The NAIA continues to be a pioneer in implementing exceptional standards for academics, diversity and character. Those standards are evident not only on the campuses of member institutions, but also in the competitive arena.

The Association provides exclusive opportunities for more than 45,000 young men and women to achieve academically while competing for the love of the game. NAIA member institutions award millions of dollars through athletic aid to eligible student-athletes and create an environment where competitive athletics, academic excellence and character walk hand-in-hand.

To learn more about the NAIA visit www.NAIA.org .

About Central Baptist College

Since its inception in 1952, Central Baptist's mission has focused on educating the student as a whole - intellectually, physically, and spiritually. While many other colleges and universities subscribe to the notion of holistic education, it is the spiritual dimension of higher education that makes Central Baptist College unique. Central Baptist, a community of learners dedicated to the integration of Christian faith and academic excellence, exists to instill in its students a commitment to lifelong learning, spiritual development and service to God. These ideals are combined through a program characterized by academic rigor, practical experience and spiritual direction in a Christ-focused environment.

Under the NAIA umbrella Central Baptist will sponsor men's and women's basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, men's golf, men's and women's soccer and men's and women's cross country.

To learn more about Central Baptist College visit www.cbc.edu .