NAIA Formation

In 1952, as a result of the expressed desires of the member institutions, appropriate steps were taken by which the NAIB was transformed into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and the first all-encompassing set of rules and standards was adopted. Recommendations to take this important action were made by the National Executive Committee at the annual meeting after determining the move was desirable and feasible. The recommendation was later approved by a mail vote of the entire membership.

With the Association's new name came the addition of national championships in golf, tennis and outdoor track and field. Football, cross country, baseball and swimming and diving were added to the championships calendar in 1956. Wrestling (1958), soccer (1959), bowling (1962-78), gymnastics (1964-84), indoor track and field (1966) and men's volleyball (1969-80) were later additions.