The NAIA Council of Presidents has voted to merge divisions for men’s and women’s basketball beginning in 2020. The NAIA has offered championships in division one and division two since 1992. Corey Westra is Commissioner of the Great Plains Athletic Conference which competes at the division two level.

The GPAC has enjoyed a run of success, especially in women’s basketball.

It also brings about a change in scholarships. Currently, division one teams may offer 11 scholarships in basketball and six for division two.

Basketball was the lone remaining sport in the NAIA offering multiple divisions. Football made a similar move two decades ago.

Westra says the plan is for 64-team tournament for the men and women. Graceland won the NAIA men’s division one tournament this past season.

(Learfield Sports)