May 8, 2008

For Immediate Release:

Contact: Staci Schottman, Director of Public Relations & Communications, 816-595-8116

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced today that the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) has been awarded host conference status for the Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship. Having declared participation in NAIA Division I men's and women's basketball in early May, the HAAC receives two automatic berths given to any conference with ten or more member institutions. Host conference status awards the HAAC one additional host berth into the oldest national collegiate tournament in any sport dating back to 1937. The NAIA and HAAC officials will meet to finalize the length of the host berth agreement and determine the HAAC's role in the local organizing committee based on this arrangement in the near future.  

"The NAIA is pleased to partner with the Heart of America Athletic Conference to host college basketball's toughest tournament," said NAIA President and CEO Jim Carr. "The NAIA and the HAAC will work together to build on the tournament's history and create new opportunities to showcase college basketball at its best."

The 72nd Annual Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship will showcase 32 teams, 31 games and one national champion over a six day event at the historic Municipal Auditorium in downtown Kansas City, Mo. The 2009 tournament, which will tip off on March 18, will attract over 600 coaches and student-athletes and approximately 40,000 fans.

As host conference, HAAC member schools will have the opportunity to compete in a legendary event that boasts top talent. HAAC member schools include: Avila University (Mo.); Baker University (Kan.); Benedictine College (Kan.); Central Methodist University (Mo.); Culver-Stockton College (Mo.); Evangel University (Mo.); Graceland University (Iowa); Lindenwood University (Mo.); MidAmerica Nazarene University (Kan.); Missouri Valley College; and William Jewell College (Mo.). The HAAC will have set criteria to determine the school awarded the host berth.

"The Heart of America Athletic Conference is pleased to be designated as the host conference for the Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship. Speaking on behalf of the HAAC Council of Presidents, my colleagues and I are very proud of our student-athletes," said Dr. Bonnie Humphrey, Missouri Valley College President and Chair of the HAAC Council of Presidents. "We believe they have the quality and character to compete successfully in Division I. We are equally proud of the eleven institutions of higher education that comprise the Heart of America Conference and relish this opportunity to showcase our students and our institutions nationally."

To learn more about the NAIA and HAAC visit www.naia.org or www.haacsports.com.

NAIA
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) is the governing body for athletics programs at its nearly 300 colleges and universities throughout the United States and Canada. The long-held mission of the NAIA is to promote the education and development of well-rounded students and productive citizens through intercollegiate athletics. The association offers equitable access and opportunities for participation in its 23 national championship events held annually throughout the country.

Today, the NAIA strengthens its commitment to student-athletes and strives to enrich their college experience by supporting academic achievement and character development. NAIA Champions of Character is the association's innovative flagship program designed to instill character values in student-athletes, coaches and youth in the communities it serves.