A move to the Heart of the America Athletic Conference for Missouri Baptist University Athletics is now official. On Thursday, the Heart of America Athletic Conference Council of Presidents approved MBU, and fellow American Midwest Conference institution William Woods University, for full membership.
 
The Spartans and Owls will join the conference fully for the 2025-26 academic year, but will bring their affiliate membership sports that the Heart sponsors champions for in the upcoming 2024-25 academic year.

"The Heart of America Council of Presidents are delighted to have Missouri Baptist University and William Woods University join us as we work together to provide the best intercollegiate experiences for our student-athletes and support the unique missions of each of our institutions," said President David Spittal COP Chair and President of MidAmerica Nazarene University.
 
Missouri Baptist and William Woods will become the 14^th and 15^th full members of the conference. The Heart now becomes one of the largest conferences in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).
 
Currently an affiliate member of the Heart of America Athletic Conference in the sports of football and men's volleyball, the Spartans will also bring the sports of baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's bowling, men's and women's cross country, competitive cheer, competitive dance, Esports, men's and women's golf, men's and women's lacrosse, men's and women's soccer, softball, men's and women's indoor and outdoor track & field, women's volleyball, and men's and women's wrestling.
 
"First of all, we would like to thank the Council of Presidents and Commissioner Nik Rule for the opportunity," said Missouri Baptist Director of Athletics, Jeff Fore. "Missouri Baptist University is extremely excited about our move to the Heart of America Conference, and in being a member of one of the premier conferences in all the NAIA. As a University with a rich tradition of athletic excellence we feel that being a member of the Heart will only enhance our success as an institution while providing increased opportunities for our student-athletes. We also look forward to the new rivalries that will be formed and the relationships that will be built with a group of outstanding institutions."
 
"Missouri Baptist University is incredibly excited to become a member of the Heart of America Athletic Conference!" said Missouri Baptist University President, Dr. Keith Ross. "It is clear MBU's values, commitment to academic and athletic excellence align well with those of HOA member schools and the Conference as a whole. We look forward to a high level of athletic competition and a spirit of camaraderie as MBU complements and supports the Heart of America Conference's commitment to holistic development of student athletes now and into the future."


The Heart of America Athletic Conference currently includes the following 13 institutions:

• Baker University – Baldwin City, Kan.
• Benedictine College – Atchison, Kan.
• Central Methodist University – Fayette, Mo.
• Clarke University – Dubuque, Iowa
• Culver-Stockton College – Canton, Mo.
• Graceland University – Lamoni, Iowa
• Grand View University – Des Moines, Iowa
• MidAmerica Nazarene University – Olathe, Kan.
• Missouri Valley College – Marshall, Mo.
• Mount Mercy University – Cedar Rapids, Iowa
• Park University – Parkville, Mo.
• Peru State College – Peru, Neb.
• William Penn University – Oskaloosa, Iowa

 
"We are excited to welcome Missouri Baptist University and William Woods University to the Heart of America," Heart Commissioner Nik Rule expressed. "Both bring strong leadership, a clear vision, and a blend of academic and athletic excellence that will prove to be a great fit for our future. We're excited to build lasting relationships with these universities, their administrators, staff, student-athletes, coaches, and fans."

About the Heart of America Athletic Conference:
Founded in 1971, the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) marked its 50th year during the 2020-21 season. All 13 conference schools are members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA.

The Heart sponsors the following 26 championship sports: baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's bowling, men's and women's cross country, football, men's and women's golf, men's and women's lacrosse, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's indoor track & field, men's and women's outdoor track & field, competitive cheer, competitive dance, esports, men's and women's volleyball, men's and women's wrestling, softball.

Since 2010, the Heart has won 18 NAIA National Championships amongst seven different sports (women's basketball, men's wrestling, men's basketball, men's golf, men's soccer, competitive cheer and men's volleyball).