The Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) is one of the oldest and most respected collegiate athletic conferences in the United States, boasting a rich history and track record of success. Formed in 1924 as the Missouri-Kansas-Oklahoma-Iowa Collegiate Athletic Association, the conference is composed of nine historically significant and academically competitive universities located in the Midwest and Plains states.
History and Significance of the Heart of America Athletic Conference
The HAAC was established in 1924 as one of the original members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), the first collegiate athletic conference in the U.S. The league was originally composed of four universities — the University of Missouri, the University of Kansas, the University of Oklahoma and Iowa State University — making it one of the oldest collegiate sports organizations in the country.
Since inception, the HAAC has worked to provide a unique and competitive experience for its member institutions and their athletes. The conference is committed to sportsmanship and ethical conduct among all members and it seeks to ensure that its competitive rules and regulations are followed. The HAAC also maintains a commitment to academic excellence and championing the academic mission and goals of its member schools. The conference has continually evolved to meet the ever-evolving needs and challenges of collegiate athletics.
Member Institutions
Today, the HAAC consists of nine member schools located in the Midwest and Plains states. The founding members — the University of Missouri, the University of Kansas, the University of Oklahoma and Iowa State University — are joined by five other schools: Kansas State University, Central Methodist University, Evangel University, William Penn University and Graceland University.
Sports and Notable Achievements
The HAAC participates in a wide range of sports, including: men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s track & field, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s soccer, softball, baseball, and volleyball. In the last decade, member schools have claimed nine national championships and numerous conference titles. Most recently, William Penn won the men’s and women’s cross country championships in 2018.
In addition to athletics, the HAAC also sponsors sportsmanship contests and academic honors for member institutions. The conference also occasionally conducts special events, such as radio shows and sports awards ceremonies, which help promote the HEAC and its member institutions.
Rivals and Local Impact
The HAAC’s traditional rivalries include the Missouri-Kansas rivalry between Kansas and Missouri, the Oklahoma-Iowa rivalry between Oklahoma and Iowa, and the Kansas-Oklahoma rivalry between Kansas and Oklahoma. These rivalries add excitement and energy to the conference sports events, and their impact can be felt throughout the conference’s nine states. The HAAC’s presence in the states of Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Iowa has also helped to bring college sports into many underserved and rural communities, increasing exposure to collegiate athletics in these areas.
Operations and Governance
The HAAC is governed by the presidents of the nine member institutions, who meet annually to conduct conference business, develop policies, and review the overall performance of the conference. The conference staff is responsible for the day-to-day operations, including scheduling, recruiting, organizing championship events, and tracking compliance with NCAA rules and regulations.
Role and Future Prospects
The HAAC has played a key role in the growth and development of collegiate athletics in the Midwest and Plains states. It has enabled students athletes from smaller universities across the region to compete at the highest level of collegiate sports. As the conference continues to provide competitive and fair play among its members, it has become increasingly more popular in the region as well as on the national level. The HAAC remains committed to the academic mission of its members schools and strives to provide a safe and supportive environment for its student athlete. As more universities begin to join the conference, the future of the conference is looking bright.
In recent years, the HAAC has seen a steady growth in attendance at its championship games as more and more fans come out to cheer on their favorite teams. Additionally, the conference has also seen an increasing number of athletes advancing to professional sports. With the HAAC’s continued commitment to excellence in sports and academics, the conference will undoubtedly continue to provide invaluable opportunities for its members universities and their athletes for many years to come.