There are plenty of NAIA schools in Alabama, and each has its own unique environment and offerings.
If you’re considering going to any of the Athletic schools in Alabama, you’ll want to make sure the school is both affordable and has programs that fit your needs.
This comprehensive guide on the 5 best NAIA colleges in Alabama will help you find the right college, so you can focus on getting the best education possible.
We’ll also tell you what sets them apart from the rest and how you can find the one that’s right for you!
But before that, you can check out our previous article on NAIA schools:
- The 7 Best NAIA Schools in Ohio
- 12 Best NAIA Schools in California: A Comprehensive Guide
- The 5 Best NAIA Schools in Arizona For Every Student
What are NAIA Schools?
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) is a group of small colleges and universities across the United States that compete in athletics.
In order to be a part of the NAIA, schools and students must meet certain academic and athletic standards.
What are the NAIA rules and regulations?
Some of the requirements you should know as an NAIA student include;
- Students must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours
- The student may only compete during four seasons and during his/her first 10 semesters/15
quarters. - The student must meet two or three entry-level academic requirements: a minimum of ACT-18 Test score, SAT-860 or Class rank of top 50% or High School GP of 2.0/4.0.
- The student must meet freshman and/or continuing eligibility requirements.
- The student must meet transfer eligibility requirements (if applicable)
Top NAIA Schools in Alabama
This list is arranged in no particular order, review the athletic school that fits you.
- Talladega College
- Faulkner University
- Stillman College
- Oakwood University
- University of Mobile
Talladega College
Talladega College is one of the NAIA colleges in Alabama located in the city of Talladega, it has a campus of about 50 acres large with 17 primary buildings.
The history of Talladega College dates back to 1867 when it was founded in the historic district of the city of Talladega.
The school’s athletic teams are called the Tornadoes, the Tornadoes have competed previously in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference from 1999-2000 to 2001-02, and from 2011-12 to 2020-21.
Talladega College as a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is positioned at the Division 1 level and plays in the Southern States Athletic Conference.
Contact details:
Address: 627 W Battle St, Talladega, AL 35160, United States.
Phone: +1 256-761-6100.
Faulkner University
Faulkner is one of the NAIA universities in Alabama, it is a private Christian institution that is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
As a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), the school competes predominantly in the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) and is called the Faulkner Eagles.
Some of the reasons students love Faulkner University is because of their coaches and leaders, a set of dedicated teams.
The school has over the years produced notable alumni such as;
- Bobby Bright – United States Congressman from Alabama
- Marcus Brimage – professional Mixed Martial Artist, former UFC competitor
- Corey Black Baseball, Chicago Cubs
- Ray-Ray Armstrong Football, New York Giants
- Austin Adams – Major League Baseball
Contact details:
Address: 5345 Atlanta Hwy, Montgomery, AL 36109, United States.
Phone: +1 334-272-5820
Stillman College
The Athletic team of Stillman College is called the Tigers and Lady Tigers, this is a privately-owned Presbyterian HBCU located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Stillman is one of the NAIA colleges in Alabama and a member of Division 1, it has predominantly competed in the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) since the 2018–19 academic year.
The school has a whole lot of accomplishments in Men’s basketball, Women’s basketball, Softball, and Baseball.
Contact details:
Address: 3601 Stillman Blvd, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401, United States.
Phone: +1 205-349-4240.
Oakwood University
Oakwood University is a privately-owned University in Huntsville Alabama that is religiously affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist church.
Students can be involved in a whole lot of activities such as;
- Music
- Academic competitions
- Athletics
Oakwood University is one of the NAIA universities in Alabama and its athletic team is called the Ambassadors and Lady Ambassadors.
Oakwood offers several intramural sports activities, with men’s teams including basketball and soccer.
There are also some women’s sports like basketball, soccer, and volleyball, as well as baseball.
Contact details:
Address: 7000 Adventist Blvd NW, Huntsville, AL 35896, United States.
Phone: +1 256-726-7000.
University of Mobile
The history of the University of Mobile started in 1961 when it was founded by the Alabama Baptist State under the name of Mobile College and was renamed the University of Mobile in 1993.
The University of Mobile is one of the top schools in the whole of Alabama and is located in Mobile, it is managed by the board of trustees at the Alabama Baptist State Convention.
As one of the NAIA universities in Alabama, the University of Mobile competes predominantly in the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC).
The Athletic team is called the Rams and the school’s colors are garnet, black, and gray, and its mascot is a ram.
The university has many athletic accomplishments as they have won national championships in
- Men’s tennis in 1993
- Women’s tennis in 1994
- Men’s golf, men’s tennis, and women’s soccer in 1997
- Women’s golf (1998); women’s softball (2006); and men’s soccer (2002).
The University of Mobile also has some notable alumni, such as;
- Erin Bethea – actress
- Big Daddy Weave – members: Mike Weaver, Jeremy Redmon, Jeff Jones, and Joe Shirk
- Gina DeVettori – actress
- Joe Espada – Major League Baseball coach, Houston Astros
- Phillip Lee, Jr. – U.S. Navy Reserve admiral
- Sunny Mabrey – actress.
Contact details:
Address: 5735 College Pkwy, Mobile, AL 36613, United States.
Phone: +1 251-442-2222.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an age limit in the NAIA?
No, the NAIA does not have an age limit. Instead, students are permitted to participate in four seasons of competition in a given sport and have 10 semesters to complete those four seasons.
What is the 24 36 rule in NAIA?
The 24-36 NAIA rule requires student-athletes to have obtained 24 credit hours of institutional schooling or its equivalent prior to competing in the second year of collegiate athletics.
Can you transfer from one NAIA school to another?
Yes, an athlete can transfer from one school to another, the reasons vary as well, as athletes often transfer because they are competitive, academic, or even personal preferences.
Is Oakwood a Division 1?
Yes, Oakwood University is a Divison 1 NAIA school.
Is Stillman an all-black College?
No, Stillman College is open to all students, however, it is a predominantly black institution.
References
Previous Articles
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- The 6 Best Barber Schools In Birmingham Alabama
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- 3 best Law Schools in Birmingham Alabama
Conclusion
There are many great NAIA schools in Alabama, but the five schools listed above are some of the best.
All of these schools offer a great education and have a lot to offer students.
If you’re looking for a great school to attend, be sure to check out one of these five amazing NAIA universities in Alabama!
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