Ohio Christian University To Transition Away From NAIA In Move To NCCAA

Article Presented By Pickaway Ross CTC…

(Circleville) – Ohio Christian University has announced that it will be transitioning from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) to the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Division I.

The Trailblazers will continue to compete in the NAIA and River States Conference (RSC) in the 2023-24 school year before shifting entirely to NCCAA Division I beginning in Fall 2024.

“This marks an important and exciting step for Ohio Christian University, and one that I am pleased to be a part of,” Ohio Christian athletic director George Arroyo Jr. said. “Having experience in the NCCAA as an athlete and coach, I admire the commitment to equip student-athletes and coaches to make a positive impact for Christ. NCCAA’s devotion to the body, mind and spirit allows us to truly embark on a Christ-centered athletic experience as we continue striving for excellence in competition and preparing our student-athletes to be world-impacting leaders. A partnership with the NCCAA will offer a greater campus experience for athletes, faculty/staff, students and the surrounding community as well.”

Ohio Christian is excited to move into an association that has a mission aligned with that of the university. The NCCAA prioritizes keeping Christ at the center of intercollegiate athletics, a vision that Ohio Christian shares as they prepare students to serve in the church and society with a holistic, Christ-centered and biblically integrated education.

Ohio Christian University was founded in 1948, originally as Circleville Bible College. The first club sports began in the 1970s before the school joined the NCCAA in 1981 and competed in Division II. In the fall of 2015, Ohio Christian moved from NCCAA Division II to NCCAA Division I and began competing in the NAIA and RSC (then the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference).

“On behalf of Ohio Christian University, we wish to extend our appreciation to the RSC for its commitment to our coaches and student-athletes,” Arroyo Jr. said. “The goal is to continue striving for excellence while partnering with the RSC throughout the remainder of our time in the NAIA.”

“The Trailblazers now look to enter a new era based on tradition and with the goal of enhancing the ability of coaches and athletes to make a greater impact for Christ’s Kingdom”, according to a release on their school website.