General | 4/15/2025 12:22:11 PM

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), the governing body for athletics at more than 250 colleges and universities, is proud to announce the launch of its new campaign: “The Right Way to Play.”

This grassroots campaign is designed to amplify the distinct value of the NAIA, solidifying the association as The Right Way to Play, weaving its story through the lens of NAIA membership.

“We are excited to be part of this campaign at the River States Conference” said RSC Commissioner Michael Schell. “We truly believe the NAIA is The Right Way to Play.”

Balancing growth of the whole person with athletic achievement is just one aspect that the NAIA will promote with the campaign. Common-sense regulations, innovative tools for building successful athletics programs, and character-driven competition are other aspects that embody the NAIA model. 

“The world of college sports has undergone a seismic shift in the past decade, with changes that often stray from the values that once defined it,” said NAIA President and CEO Jim Carr.  “The NAIA champions the authentic spirit of college athletics, allowing student-athletes to compete in sports they are passionate about, while also emphasizing academics, character development, and community involvement. Now more than ever, the NAIA is the right way to play.”

The campaign also engages NAIA’s membership to amplify the story of the NAIA as college athletics the way it was meant to be. 

“It’s important to our conference to help tell the NAIA’s story,” Schell said. “Our story – and how it supports our mission and vision – is important to our students, alumni, friends, and fans, and it embodies why we are The Right Way to Play.”

About the NAIA
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., is a governing body of small athletics programs that are dedicated to character-driven intercollegiate athletics. NAIA members provide more than 83,000 student-athletes with opportunities to play college sports, earn $1.3 billion in financial aid from NAIA institutions, and compete in 29 national championships. 

About the River States Conference
The River States Conference was founded in 1916 as the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The league underwent a re-branding to best reflect its membership and changed its name to the River States Conference on July 1, 2016.

The River States Conference has 11 member institutions representing five states -- Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, and West Virginia. The Ohio River flows through the center of the geographic region of the conference and connects the four states.