Zach McClellan
Last fall, IUPUC applied for membership in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
The Crimson Pride, who are starting an athletics program in the 2022-23 school year, were officially welcomed as a member of the NAIA on Tuesday. The membership takes effect on July 1.
“It’s big news for Columbus, Indiana,” IUPUC athletics director Zach McClellan said. “It’s exciting times. It’s a very solid level of college sports that are coming into our community.”
McClellan, chancellor Dr. Reinhold Hill, faculty representative Ryan Brewer and sports information director/compliance officer Kyle Hawkins just got back from spending five days in Kansas City at the NAIA national convention. The NAIA council of presidents voted on IUPUC’s membership on Sunday evening, and the acceptance became official on Tuesday.
“Professor Brewer has been someone that has been behind the scenes making this happen,” McClellan said. “A lot of hard work went into this. This result is a culmination of a lot of hard work, but until the presidents vote, you never know.”
IUPUC plans to field men’s and women’s cross-country teams this fall and baseball and softball teams next spring. The school currently is reviewing conference affiliation options and expect to make an announcement on that in the coming weeks.
The NAIA also approved membership for three other schools — North American University in Texas, Oakwood University in Alabama and Southern University in Louisiana.
