NAIA Renews Agreement with U.S. Council for Athletes’ Health

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced on Thursday that it has come to terms with the U.S. Council for Athletes’ Health (USCAH) to remain its ‘Official Athletic Health and Safety Partner through June of 2024.

Within the new agreement, USCAH will continue to provide the NAIA its expertise and guidance on a number of medical needs, including but not limited to, COVID-19, formation of a national standard of care and NAIA related policies, and acclimation or heat illness. All of which build upon the close connection the two organizations have built over the course of the last 18 months.

Additionally, USCAH will help NAIA campuses to craft best practices around institutional structures and methodologies (like heath care delivery models) and continuing medical education for healthcare professionals. Expertise which positions it to greatly assist NAIA members understand the standard of care that NAIA student-athletes should receive and how that standard can be met at the campus level.

“We are looking forward to our continued partnership with the NAIA and supporting the association’s commitment to improved athlete health, safety and welfare for its member institutions,” Dr. James Borchers, USCAH President and CEO, said. “I have appreciated Jim Carr’s leadership and dedication over the last 18 months and am confident USCAH and the NAIA will continue to do tremendous work together.”

USCAH will also continue to assist the NAIA staff in support of the work of its Council for Student-Athletes (CSA) and Athletic Trainers Association (ATA).

“USCAH has provided the NAIA immeasurable insight and support as we successfully navigated our national championships during the past year,” said NAIA President & CEO Jim Carr. “USCAH’s vast expertise makes them perfectly positioned to help our members better understand the standard of care we must provide student-athletes, while taking into account the specific needs and characteristics of our individual member institutions.”

ABOUT NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS (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 77,000 student-athletes with opportunities to play college sports, earn $800 million in scholarships and compete in 27 national championships. naia.org | @NAIA