USCAA Announces 2024-25 New Members
PITTSBURGH, PA -- The United States Collegiate Athletic Association and its Board of Directors announced on Friday the addition of nine new members for the 2024-25 academic year: Bryant & Stratton Ohio (OH), East West University (IL), North American University (TX), and Colorado Mountain College - Leadville (CO) will all enter as full members. The US Sports Academy (AL), Trinity College (FL), and Cal Miramar (CA) will all enter as provisional members. And both John Melvin University (LA) and John Melvin Christian College (FL) will enter with exploratory status.
Bryant & Stratton Ohio
Bryant & Stratton College Ohio is in Solon, Ohio and has a full-time enrollment of approximately 180 students, primarily student-athletes. The Ohio market is comprised of three campuses (student-athletes attend and compete at Solon unless an academic program dictates otherwise – 1%). Offering over 25 degree and diploma programs in the fields of business, IT, criminal justice, legal, and healthcare, just to name a few. Bryant & Stratton College’s Solon campus features a supportive and professional staff who are fully devoted to the individual success of their students.
The Solon campus is home to the Ohio Bryant & Stratton Bobcats athletics program. The Bobcats compete in baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, and softball in Division II of the NJCAA with plans for expansion to women’s volleyball, bowling, and golf.
“The addition of Bryant & Stratton Ohio continues to align with our existing Bryant & Stratton population and will continue to enhance our Division I offerings, I look forward to the exciting plans that group of campuses has on the horizon”, says BJ Bertges, USCAA COO.
East West University
East-West University was founded in 1980 with the mission of providing quality, affordable, multi-cultural, and forward-looking higher education to Chicago and the world. The institution has grown and prospered over the years, from a noble idea to a significant institution of higher learning accommodating nearly 1200 students. The University maintains a unique place among institutions of higher learning in Chicago and the region. East-West has repeatedly been cited as having the lowest tuition among private schools in the Chicago area, making a higher education with personal attention more accessible. East-West has one of the highest percentages of international students of any baccalaureate school in the nation; it is the only majority-minority four year college in the state of Illinois; the faculty and staff is among the most diverse of any institution of higher learning in the nation; its graduates have spread throughout the world making a difference; and its close-knit, family atmosphere has been successful in helping students to meet the challenges of making it through college to graduation. The majority of East-West University students may come from minority communities, but many non-minority students enjoy attending East-West University for the unique perspective it provides. Students interested in social work, human resources, community activism, politics, urban planning, government, and other disciplines gain great insights, engage in valuable dialog, make lifelong friends, and are welcomed and valued at East-West University.
“Having previously held membership within the USCAA prior to COVID, we are happy to welcome East West back into the Association and look to expand our Division II offerings to that region of the country and we hope to bolster the efforts of a conference forming in that area”, says BJ Bertges, USCAA COO.
North American University
North American University is located in Stafford, Texas (southwest Houston metro) and has a full-time enrollment of approximately 500 students. Offering undergraduate degrees in business administration, computer science, education and criminal justice. North American University (NAU) is a private and non-profit institution offering bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The university is committed to teaching excellence and student centeredness. NAU strives to provide an environment promoting global cultural competency, personal growth and responsible citizenship.
The NAU Stallions sponsor varsity programs in: Men’s & Women’s Basketball, Men’s & Women’s Track & Field and Cross Country, Men’s and Women’s Soccer and Football. They are also members of the NAIA and look to maintain successful dual membership for the foreseeable future with both the NAIA and the USCAA with the goal being to maximize their exposure and provide as much opportunity for student athletes as possible.
“NAU will continue to help our Division I growth”, says USCAA COO, BJ Bertges. “Their current offerings align very well with USCAA and they will be a great addition to our membership in that region”.
Colorado Mountain College - Leadville
CMC was officially designated as Colorado’s first dual mission institution in 2021. Dual mission colleges and universities offer a blend of certificate programs and associate degrees as well as bachelor’s degrees under one roof. They recognize that today's learners need and want a mix of liberal arts and hands-on career skills training. CMC operates 11 different campuses; the Leadville campus is granted for membership into the USCAA.
Colorado Mountain College offers 7 academic pathways with more than 130 programs including: Business/Information Technology, Communication/Arts/Digital Media, Culinary/Hospitality/Outdoor Recreation & Leadership, Health Sciences/Public Safety, Human Services/Social Sciences/Education, Natural Sciences/Sustainability, and Skilled Trades/Applied Technology.
“Colorado Mountain College – Leadville will bring cross country and track and field to the USCAA”, says BJ Bertges. “With very unique offerings such as downhill skiing and mountain biking, they will maintain dual membership to support those sports, but with a growing interest in offering more opportunity for their cross country and track & field athletes, they are excited to begin their membership”.
US Sports Academy
The United States Sports Academy was the first and is the only of its kind in the United States. It was established in 1972 to turn around a new scientific finding that linked poor preparation of coaches to the injuries incurred by the athletes they supervised. Today, coaches everywhere can prepare thoroughly for their work. Through sports-focused instruction, support of research, and teamwork with professional groups like the National Federation of State High School Associations, the Academy showed how to meet sports professionals’ educational needs.
As they begin to expand their undergraduate offerings, they look for opportunities for their brand-new athletic department. “We are excited to welcome the US Sports Academy to the USCAA”, says BJ Bertges. “They are a unique institution who are expanding their offerings to include varsity athletics and we are thrilled that they sought us out to provide them guidance and opportunity for their student-athletes”.
Trinity College
Trinity College is located in Trinity, FL. They currently offer the varsity sports of Volleyball, Men’s & Women’s Soccer and Men’s & Women’s Basketball. After years in the NCCAA, they see the USCAA as a better fit given the recent growth of the Association within the state of Florida and the opportunity it provides for their student athletes in both individual and team accolades.
The college offers certificates, associate and bachelor’s degrees in the fields of business, education, ministry studies, psychology and theology. They can service both commuter and resident students, and most of their student athletes reside on campus. The campus itself is situated approximately 30 minutes from Tampa.
“Trinity College will be a great addition to the USCAA”, says BJ Bertges, USCAA COO. “Their current offerings and plans for growth in the future will align perfectly with our Association”.
California Miramar University
California Miramar University LA In-Residence campus is a private institution located outside of Los Angeles (La Puente) and is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). The University offers a 21st century high quality global education, through an online and hybrid student centered interactive learning environment accomplished by employing a technology driven delivery modality, highly educated practitioner faculty and professional staff to meet the students ’educational and professional objectives.
Having previously explored membership 8-10 years ago, they are entering the USCAA as a provisional member who will offer Men’s Basketball, Men’s Soccer, Baseball and Softball.
“As we grow our membership in the state of California, this is a strategic addition to the Association and their membership is just the next step in establishing a strong USCAA presence on the west coast”, says BJ Bertges, USCAA COO.
Johh Melvin University
John Melvin University, located in Crowley, Louisiana, has a full-time enrollment of approximately 200 students with the recent addition of varsity athletics on campus.
The University is offering football, volleyball, men’s golf, men’s basketball, baseball, softball and track & field and has seen some success in their young existence with fielding teams.
The academic and administrative spaces are housed on campus in a building adjacent to one of their training facilities. They also have plans to develop a 53-acre plot of land that would be a more traditional campus and house additional competition facilities. Until that is developed, they have great community support and have been granted access to many facilities within the city and given the right to use the Millers mascot, a baseball team that was once a vibrant part of the city of Crowley.
“Expansion into the south is something we have been working on over the last few years”, says BJ Bertges. “The addition of JMU algins well with our membership goals and will continue to be beneficial to our growth in that region. They have great administrative support, and this provides their student-athletes with a pathway for additional opportunities and recognition”.
John Melvin Christian College
John Melvin Christian College is in Pensacola, Florida and has offerings of Men’s Basketball, Volleyball, Baseball and Softball. The institution will offer both associate and bachelor’s degrees in bible studies, Christian business, Chistian coaching and Christian counseling.
With a growing athletic department, their membership in the USCAA will be beneficial to their growth and provide oversight as they grow.
“JMCC, much like JMU are very unique institutions who will be great members of the USCAA”, says BJ Bertges. “They vision for not only athletics, but the student experience is one that aligns with the USCAA and I have no doubt they will see success early on in their membership”.
About the USCAA
The primary goal of the USCAA is to provide members with an Association that is devoted to the growth, vision, and values of their institutions. The USCAA’s focus is to enhance member institutions through athletics. The association intends to achieve this goal by providing opportunities for small colleges to compete on an equal level of competition with schools of similar size and athletic programs. The USCAA conducts 15 National Championships, names All-Americans, recognizes scholar athletes, and promotes USCAA member schools in various ways. The USCAA believes that the integrity and credibility of the Association and its members are paramount in accomplishing its goal.