DAPHNE, Ala. – The United States Sports University has been accepted into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) as a full member, effective July 1, 2026.
 
USSU received approval from the NAIA Council of Presidents (COP) to join the association. The move marks a historic step in the institution's pursuit of academic and athletic excellence.

The Eagles will join the Continental Athletic Conference in 2026-27 and plans to enter the Southern States Athletic Conference in 2027-28.
 
USSU began competition in intercollegiate athletics in 2024, recruiting over 150 student-athletes and fielding nine varsity teams.
 
"As a university dedicated to educating sports professionals for more than five decades, we launched our intercollegiate athletics program with a clear and abiding purpose — to graduate student-athletes who are service-oriented, driven by strong character, and representative of the very best this institution has to offer," said USSU President Dr. Steven Condon. "The NAIA is an exceptional fit for our university, providing outstanding competitive and educational opportunities across all of our programs. I am pleased to stand alongside our coaches and athletic director in enthusiastic support of our NAIA membership, and I look forward with great confidence to everything it will mean for the future of athletics at this institution."
 
"We are incredibly honored to be accepted into the NAIA and join a membership defined by integrity, competition, and a true commitment to the student-athlete experience," USSU Athletic Director Shealynn Miller said. "This is a tremendous step forward for our athletic department, creating elevated opportunities for competition while strengthening our ability to compete both regionally and nationally. The NAIA's education-focused mission and Champions of Character values align seamlessly with who we are and what we strive to provide for our student-athletes. As an association built on the belief in the 'Right Way to Play,' the NAIA represents exactly the type of environment we want for our programs. We believe this will be a great home for our student-athletes to grow, compete, and succeed alongside institutions that share our commitment to character and excellence."
 
Additional details, including updated schedules, will be announced at a later date.
 
The NAIA's announcement is available here: https://www.naia.org/membership/2025-26/New-Members
   
About the NAIA
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., is a governing body of small athletics programs that are dedicated to character-driven intercollegiate athletics. NAIA members provide more than 83,000 student-athletes with opportunities to play college sports, earn $1.3 billion in financial aid from NAIA institutions, and compete in 29 national championships. naia.org | @NAIA
 
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