ST. LOUIS — Missouri Baptist University officially became a full member of the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) on July 1, 2025, marking a new era of competition and opportunity for Spartan Athletics.
The move was first announced on
April 5, 2024, following unanimous approval from the Heart's Council of Presidents. With the transition now complete, Missouri Baptist will begin Heart competition in the 2025–26 academic year, competing in 27 varsity sports across the NAIA.
"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 that MBU's values and commitment to academic and athletic excellence align well with those of Heart 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 the holistic development of student-athletes now and into the future."
"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."
The Spartans will join a Heart membership that spans four states and includes more than a dozen private institutions. MBU will compete immediately for conference championships and automatic bids to NAIA national tournaments, beginning with fall sports this August.
"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 the NAIA," said MBU Director of Athletics
Jeff Fore. "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."
The Heart of America Athletic Conference currently includes the following 15 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 Baptist University – St. Louis, Mo.
- 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
- William Woods University – Fulton, Mo.
About Missouri Baptist University:
Missouri Baptist University is a private, Christian liberal arts university located in St. Louis, Missouri. MBU competes in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and is dedicated to fostering academic and athletic excellence. The university offers a wide array of programs designed to develop students holistically, both on and off the field.
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 15 conference schools are members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).
The Heart sponsors the following 28 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, men's & women's tennis, competitive cheer, competitive dance, esports, men's and women's volleyball, men's and women's wrestling, softball.
