National Christian Collegiate Athletics Association (NCCAA)

GREENVILLE, S.C. — The roots of athletics at Southern Nazarene are beginning to poke back up from the ground as the National Christian Collegiate Athletics Association (NCCAA) notified SNU of its acceptance back into the organization.
 
“We are excited and grateful for the opportunity to reaffiliate with the NCCAA,” said SNU Director of Athletics Bobby Martin. “We have a deep history with the association and I personally have many great memories within the NCCAA. We look forward to being around other like-minded institutions and tough battles in competition in the coming years.”
 
Southern Nazarene was affiliated with the NCCAA from 1972-1984 and won two NCCAA Men's Basketball titles in 1974 and 1977 and had NCCAA All-Americans and one honorable mention in men's basketball in the 12 years it competed in the NCCAA. SNU also competed in several NCCAA postseason events in multiple sports. SNU will compete in the NCCAA in all of its 17 intercollegiate varsity teams and will be eligible for postseason play in the NCCAA starting in the 2012-13 season.
 
“The NCCAA is honored and excited to welcome Southern Nazarene University back into its membership,” said NCCAA Executive Director Dan Wood. “We will strive to provide SNU a strong Christ-centered partner within their intercollegiate athletics department. We also share a common commitment to excellence as we impact current culture.”
 
The non-profit organization represents approximately 100 colleges, hosts 23 National Championships and Invitationals annually. Southern Nazarene joins Division I within the two-division setup in the NCCAA and will join other Division I Central Region members: Central Baptist (Ark.), Central Christian (Kan.), Colorado Christian, Crowley's Ridge (Ark.), Dallas Baptist, Ecclesia (Ark.), Mid-America Christian (Okla.), Oklahoma Wesleyan, Southwestern Assemblies of God (Texas), Southwestern Christian (Okla.) and York (Neb.).
 
Southern Nazarene is currently finishing up Candidacy Year One of the NCAA Division II Membership process and just completed its final year of the competition in the NAIA. SNU will now compete within the Great American Conference and will be eligible for regular season championships and awards, but will not be eligible for NCAA postseason until the 2014-15 season.