Christian Brothers University is planning to move from NCAA Division II to NAIA, the school's president said in a letter to the Christian Brothers community on Sept. 15.
The Bucs have applied for membership in NAIA, president Ronald L. Brandon wrote in the letter, and are expecting to join the Mid-South Conference starting in the 2027-28 season.
"I want to be clear about our commitment to our current student-athletes," Brandon wrote. "This transition does not change the scholarship or financial aid commitments CBU has made to them. Our responsibility is to support our students well throughout this transition and to communicate openly as additional details are finalized. I am grateful for the partnership and candor of our coaches, athletics staff,
and student-athletes as we move forward."
The CBU board of trustees has approved the move, but the NAIA still needs to OK it at a meeting later in September.
The move gives CBU a "more stable foundation for the future," Brandon wrote.
Memphis already has college teams in NCAA Division I (University of Memphis) Division II (LeMoyne-Owen College) and Division III (Rhodes College). Now it will have an NAIA team as well. NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) schools are not part of the NCAA and have a different governing body.
"Our approach to athletics has never been just about wins and losses alone — it is about developing the whole student," Brandon wrote. "I believe this move will give us a stronger and more sustainable platform to do that work well."
Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on X @thejonahdylan.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis' Christian Brothers University to move from NCAA Division II to NAIA
