NAIA Announces Three-Year Contract Extension with President & CEO Jim Carr

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced today that it has agreed with President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Carr to extend the term of his employment through June 2028.

The NAIA Council of Presidents Executive Committee expresses enthusiasm regarding Jim's decision to extend his employment contract for an additional three years, as highlighted by Dr. Amy Novak, Chair of the Council of Presidents and President of St. Ambrose University.

“In these challenging times for collegiate athletics, this extension not only reflects the confidence placed in Jim's leadership but also underscores the NAIA’s commitment to navigating complexities with innovative strategies that will ensure ongoing success,” said Novak. “Under Jim’s management, the NAIA is empowering our student-athletes and member institutions to achieve their fullest potential.”

Since Carr became CEO in 2006, the NAIA has stabilized its membership numbers and increased its national championships from 23 to 29. During his tenure, the association’s financial position has improved significantly, with revenues increasing 500%, from $3 million to $15 million. The organization has also grown from 25 to 75 full-time employees.

“The NAIA is dedicated to placing the student-athlete experience front and center and protecting education-based athletics at the collegiate level,” said Carr. “I look forward to continuing the innovative work we’re doing to solidify the NAIA as the right way to play for years to come.”

Carr joined the NAIA in July 1998 as managing director and general counsel and was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2000. Before joining the NAIA, he practiced law with the firm Maynard, Cooper and Gale, P.C. in Birmingham, Alabama, and served as director of licensing for athletics at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

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 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. naia.org | @NAIA