Starting in 2024 the UAFS Lions will begin a new chapter of athletic competition as they transition to the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA). The MIAA is one of the oldest conferences at the NCAA Division II level, starting back in 1912 and is home to 14 Division II institutions across Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and now Arkansas.
Some of these are familiar faces as Rogers State And Newman University were long-time competitors of the Lions back when they were in the Heartland Conference. But this move to the MIAA brings opportunities for some new regional rivals, most notably in Central Oklahoma, Northeastern State, and Missouri Southern.
As the Lions leap into the MIAA we would like to familiarize the Lion faithful with the new conference and its member institutions.
MIAA (Athletic Association): Kansas City, Missouri
About the Association (Short Bio): The MIAA Started out as the Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association in 1912. In 1957 the conference joined the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and after gaining membership in the NCAA many sports were added including cross country, wrestling, swimming, and baseball. Ken B. Jones, the first full-time commissioner of the MIAA, was appointed in 1981. In 1982, the MIAA began to sponsor women's athletics including basketball, cross country, softball, tennis, track & field, and volleyball. Central Missouri would be the first school in NCAA history to win a national championship in men's and women's basketball in the same year. In 1992 the conference changed its name to reflect expansion in 1989 by officially becoming the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association after the addition of three Kansas schools. The MIAA would continue to expand in the early 2010s adding schools from Oklahoma and Nebraska. More recently in 2019, it added Newman and Rogers State as associate members granting full membership in 2022. The association proved to be one of the best in the country during this time as from 2008-2022 a member university brought home at least one national championship each year. Now in 2024, the MIAA will expand even further adding the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith as its 14th member and first full member from the state of Arkansas.
Where Are They: Kansas City, Missouri
Sports Offered:
Men's Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Soccer, Tennis, Track & Field, Wrestling, (Some of the member schools have sports that compete in other sports as associate members in other conferences.)
Women's Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball. (Some of the member schools have sports that compete in other sports as associate members in other conferences.)
University Size: 14 Member Universities
Established date: 1912
Fun fact: The Association has one school located a few blocks away from state capitol building in Kansas and another is just a few miles away the Oklahoma State Capitol building.
The MIAA Offical Website
