KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) Council of Presidents is pleased to announce that it has approved the applications of Clarke University of Dubuque, Iowa, and Mount Mercy University of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for membership into the conference.

Currently members of the Midwest Collegiate Conference, Clarke and Mount Mercy will immediately join the conference to participate in administrative matters and strategic planning. Each institution will begin on-field competition in the conference during the 2016-17 academic year.

The Heart will undergo an expansion from its current membership of 12 institutions to 14, marking the greatest number of schools to be a part of the conference during any point of its 44-year history. The league will also enjoy its second addition of institutions in the past three years as Grand View University and William Penn University are set to begin competition in the 2015-16 school year.

“We are proud to officially welcome Mount Mercy and Clarke into the Heart of America Athletic Conference,” said commissioner Lori Thomas. “With a strong desire to balance the athletics and academic interests of its student-athletes these two outstanding member institutions share the same values and further strengthens our conference.”

“We are honored to be invited to join the Heart of America Athletic Conference,” said Mount Mercy University President Laurie Hamen, J.D. “The Heart has not only been a leader in competing for national athletic championships but has demonstrated a deep commitment to excellence in academics, leadership and service. Mount Mercy is committed to providing our student-athletes with the best possible athletic experience and membership in the Heart allows us to join other like-minded institutions in the pursuit of a superior student experience.”

“We are going from strength to strength,” said Clarke President Joanne M. Burrows, SC, Ph.D. “The Midwest Collegiate Conference offered a high level of competition, presidential involvement and institutional collaboration, as does the Heart of America Athletic Conference. We appreciate the opportunity to join this outstanding conference. This is an exciting transition and we look forward to moving into our new membership with the Heart of America Athletic Conference.”

Clarke and Mount Mercy will raise the number of institutions who have held membership in the conference at any point during its history to 19. Both institutions will field teams that will compete in conference play in the following sports: men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s soccer, volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s indoor track and field, baseball, softball, men’s and women’s outdoor track and field, and men’s and women’s golf. Both institutions also sponsor bowling, while Clarke also fields teams in men’s and women’s lacrosse, men’s volleyball and spirit squad. Clarke has also announced it will start a football program for the 2018 season.

“The Heart of America Athletic Conference is one of the premier conferences in the NAIA,” said Athletics Director Scot Reisinger. “Its history of national championships and strong administrative leadership make it the ideal home for the Mustangs. Our coaches and student-athletes are prepared to meet the challenge of competing at an even higher level.”

“We look forward to our affiliation with quality institutions in an expanding geographic presence,” said Clarke Athletic Director Curt Long. “The Heart of America Athletic Conference has a tradition of strong competition and will allow us scheduling opportunities for all of our sports.”

The Heart currently consists of the following institutions: Avila University (Kansas City, Mo.), Baker University (Baldwin City, Kan.), Benedictine College (Atchison, Kan.), Central Methodist University (Fayette, Mo.), Culver-Stockton College (Canton, Mo.), Evangel University (Springfield, Mo.), Graceland University (Lamoni, Iowa), MidAmerica Nazarene University (Olathe, Kan.), Missouri Valley College (Marshall, Mo.), and Peru State College (Peru, Neb.).

— HAAC Press Release —