The following is a list of current National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) schools that have participated in the playoffs (also known as the Championship Series) leading to the NAIA Football National Championship since 1956. The playoffs featured two teams in 1956, four teams from 1958, eight teams from 1978, sixteen teams from 1987, and twenty teams from 2023 until the present. A separate NAIA Division II Football National Championship was also held between 1970 and 1996, with the same number of teams competing in its annual playoffs.[1]

Many of the teams who participated in past editions of the playoffs have subsequently joined the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) or disbanded their programs.

Current NAIA members

Qualified teams

Team Appearances First Last Wins Losses Ties Total Pct.
Arizona Christian Firestorm 2 2020 2022 0 2 0 2 .000
Avila Eagles 1 2022 2022 0 1 0 1 .000
Baker Wildcats 20 1980 2023 19 20 0 39 .487
Benedictine Ravens 15 1985 2022 8 15 0 23 .348
Bethany Swedes 10 1978 1999 3 10 0 13 .231
Bethel (KS) Threshers 3 1984 2020 0 3 0 3 .000
Bethel (TN) Wildcats 7 2006 2023 4 7 0 11 .364
Campbellsville Tigers 4 1997 2015 1 4 0 5 .200
Carroll Fighting Saints 24 1978 2022 42 18 0 60 .700
Central Methodist Eagles 1 2021 2021 0 1 0 1 .000
College of Idaho Coyotes 2 2019 2023 3 2 0 5 .600
Concordia (MI) Cardinals 5 2017 2021 3 5 0 8 .375
Concordia (NE) Bulldogs 1 2002 2002 1 1 0 2 .500
Cumberland Bulldogs 1 1993 1993 0 1 0 1 .000
Cumberlands Patriots 9 1988 2019 6 9 0 15 .400
Dakota Wesleyan Tigers 1 1992 1992 0 1 0 1 .000
Dickinson State Blue Hawks 24 1981 2023 8 24 0 32 .250
Doane Tigers 6 1972 2016 3 6 0 9 .333
Dordt Defenders 2 2020 2023 1 2 0 3 .333
Eastern Oregon Mountaineers (Oregon College) 3 1975 2016 2 3 0 5 .400
Evangel Crusaders 5 1988 2023 7 8 0 15 .467
Faulkner Eagles 2 2013 2014 0 2 0 2 .000
Friends Falcons 4 1992 2008 0 4 0 4 .000
Georgetown Tigers 23 1987 2023 27 20 0 47 .574
Graceland Yellowjackets 1 2005 2005 0 1 0 1 .000
Grand View Vikings 12 2011 2023 15 11 0 26 .577
Hastings Broncos 8 1991 2009 3 8 0 11 .273
Indiana Wesleyan Wildcats 3 2021 2023 3 3 0 6 .500
Jamestown Jimmies 5 1979 2007 1 5 0 6 .167
Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes 6 2001 2021 4 6 0 10 .400
Keiser Seahawks 5 2019 2023 10 4 0 14 .714
Langston Lions 8 1973 2018 2 8 0 10 .200
Lindsey Wilson Blue Raiders 8 2014 2022 12 7 0 19 .632
Louisiana Christian Wildcats 1 2023 2023 0 1 0 1 .000
Marian Knights 12 2010 2023 20 10 0 30 .667
McPherson Bulldogs 2 2009 2010 0 2 0 2 .000
MidAmerica Nazarene Pioneers 11 2000 2014 6 11 0 17 .353
Midland Warriors 3 1979 1994 0 3 0 3 .000
Missouri Valley Vikings 13 1974 2016 11 13 0 24 .458
Montana State–Northern Lights 1 2006 2006 0 1 0 1 .000
Montana Tech Orediggers 10 1971 2023 5 10 0 15 .333
Montana Western Bulldogs 5 1994 2023 1 5 0 6 .167
Morningside Mustangs 20 2004 2023 34 17 0 51 .667
Nebraska Wesleyan Prairie Wolves 4 1988 2000 2 3 0 5 .400
Northwestern Red Raiders 25 1972 2023 33 22 0 55 .600
Oklahoma Panhandle State Aggies (Panhandle State) 1 1981 1981 0 1 0 1 .000
Olivet Nazarene Tigers 3 1998 2020 3 3 0 6 .500
Ottawa (AZ) Spirit 2 2019 2021 0 2 0 2 .000
Ottawa (KS) Braves 10 1997 2023 1 10 0 11 .091
Peru State Bobcats 9 1989 1991 6 2 0 8 .750
Pikeville Bears 1 2005 2005 0 1 0 1 .000
Point Skyhawks 1 2015 2015 0 1 0 1 .000
Reinhardt University Eagles 9 2015 2023 6 8 0 14 .429
Rocky Mountain Battlin' Bears 4 1998 2018 1 4 0 5 .200
St. Ambrose Fighting Bees 13 1984 2013 4 12 0 16 .250
St. Francis (IL) Fighting Saints 2 1987 2011 1 2 0 3 .333
Saint Francis (IN) Cougars 19 1999 2019 33 17 0 50 .660
St. Thomas Bobcats 1 2023 2023 1 1 0 2 .500
Saint Xavier Cougars 16 2002 2023 19 15 0 34 .559
Southeastern Fire 2 2016 2017 0 2 0 2 .000
Southern Oregon Raiders 7 1987 2017 13 6 0 19 .684
Southwestern Moundbuilders 7 1984 2022 2 6 0 8 .250
Sterling Warriors 3 2013 2017 0 3 0 3 .000
Tabor Bluejays 5 2003 2015 3 5 0 8 .375
Taylor Trojans 2 1998 1999 1 2 0 3 .333
Union (Kentucky) Bulldogs 1 2008 2008 0 1 0 1 .000
Valley City State Vikings 9 1976 2014 1 9 0 10 .100
William Penn Statesmen 9 1975 2012 0 2 0 2 .000

Not yet qualified

Former NAIA members

NCAA Division I FBS

Team Appearances First Last Wins Losses Ties Total Pct.
Sam Houston Bearkats 1 1964 1964 1 0 1 2 .750
Troy Trojans (Troy State) 1 1968 1968 2 0 0 2 1.000

NCAA Division I FCS

Team Appearances First Last Wins Losses Ties Total Pct.
Abilene Christian Wildcats 2 1973 1977 4 0 0 4 1.000
Arkansas–Pine Bluff Golden Lions 2 1994 1995 2 2 0 4 .500
Central Arkansas Bears 13 1976 1992 12 10 2 24 .542
Eastern Washington Eagles (Eastern Washington State) 2 1967 1967 1 1 0 2 .500
Elon Phoenix 6 1973 1981 9 4 0 13 .692
Gardner–Webb Running Bulldogs 2 1987 1992 3 2 0 5 .600
Lindenwood Lions 6 1998 2010 5 6 0 11 .455
Montana State Bobcats 1 1956 1956 0 0 1 1 .500
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks (Arizona State–Flagstaff) 1 1958 1958 1 1 0 2 .500
Prairie View A&M Panthers 1 1963 1963 1 1 0 2 .500
Presbyterian Blue Hose 2 1979 1987 2 2 0 4 .500
St. Thomas (MN) Tommies 1 1983 1983 0 1 0 1 .000
Tarleton Texans 4 1978 1990 3 4 0 7 .429
Texas A&M–Commerce Lions (East Texas State) 2 1972 1980 3 1 0 4 .750
Wofford Terriers 1 1970 1970 1 1 0 2 .500

NCAA Division II

Team (Former Names) Appearances First Last Wins Losses Ties Total Pct.
Adams State Grizzlies 2 1988 1989 4 2 0 6 .667
Angelo State Rams 3 1978 1980 4 2 0 6 .667
Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys 2 1971 1994 1 2 0 3 .333
Arkansas–Monticello Boll Weevils 2 1988 1993 2 2 0 4 .500
Black Hills State Yellow Jackets 2 2006 2007 0 2 0 2 .000
Carson–Newman Eagles 11 1972 1992 20 5 1 26 .788
Catawba Indians 1 1988 1988 0 1 0 1 .000
Central State Marauders 9 1987 1995 14 6 0 20 .700
Central Oklahoma Bronchos (Central State) 6 1962 1985 7 4 0 11 .636
Central Washington Wildcats 9 1984 1998 11 7 1 19 .605
Chadron State Eagles 2 1989 1990 0 2 0 2 .000
Colorado Mesa Mavericks (Mesa State) 7 1982 1990 9 7 0 16 .563
Concord Mountain Lions 8 1977 1992 0 8 0 8 .000
Concordia Golden Bears 2 1964 1969 2 1 1 4 .625
CSU Pueblo ThunderWolves (Southern Colorado) 1 1982 1982 0 1 0 1 .000
East Central Tigers 2 1983 1994 3 1 0 4 .750
Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds 1 1983 1983 0 1 0 1 .000
Edinboro Fighting Scots (Edinboro State) 1 1970 1970 0 1 0 1 .000
Emporia State Hornets 5 1962 1989 2 5 0 7 .286
Fairmont State Falcons 4 1965 1988 2 3 0 5 .400
Findlay Oilers 13 1964 1997 21 9 1 31 .694
Fort Hays State Tigers 1 1990 1990 0 1 0 1 .000
Glenville State Pioneers 3 1973 1994 3 3 0 6 .500
Grand Valley State Lakers 1 1978 1978 1 1 0 2 .500
Harding Bison 2 1989 1992 0 2 0 2 .000
Henderson State Reddies 2 1974 1985 2 2 0 4 .500
Hillsdale Chargers 8 1957 1988 6 7 1 14 .464
Lenoir–Rhyne Bears 3 1959 1962 4 2 0 6 .667
Mars Hill Lions 1 1980 1980 0 1 0 1 .000
Mary Marauders 10 1993 2004 7 10 0 17 .412
McKendree Bearcats 9 1997 2010 3 9 0 12 .250
Midwestern State Mustangs 1 1991 1991 1 1 0 2 .500
Minnesota–Crookston Golden Eagles 1 1997 1997 0 1 0 1 .000
Minnesota State–Moorhead Dragons (Moorhead State) 8 1981 1994 2 8 0 10 .200
Minot State Beavers 7 1970 2009 3 7 0 10 .300
Missouri Southern State Lions 1 1972 1972 2 0 0 2 1.000
Nebraska–Kearney Lopers (Kearney State) 4 1963 1980 1 4 0 5 .200
New Mexico Highlands Cowboys 3 1966 1969 0 3 0 3 .000
Northeastern State RiverHawks 9 1958 1995 9 7 0 16 .563
Northwestern Oklahoma State Rangers (Northwestern State) 12 1987 2010 12 10 0 22 .545
Northern Michigan Wildcats 2 1960 1967 0 2 0 2 .000
Northern State Wolves 5 1961 1988 0 5 0 5 .000
Ohio Dominican Panthers 1 2007 2007 1 1 0 2 .500
Ouachita Baptist Tigers 2 1975 1982 0 2 0 2 .000
Pittsburg State Gorillas 7 1957 1988 9 5 0 14 .643
Saginaw Valley State Cardinals 3 1979 1984 2 3 0 5 .400
Shepherd Rams 4 1983 1992 1 4 0 5 .250
Shorter Hawks 1 2008 2008 0 1 0 1 .000
Sioux Falls Cougars 16 1988 2010 36 12 0 48 .750
Southeastern Oklahoma State Savage Storm (Southeastern State) 1 1988 1988 1 1 0 2 .500
Southern Connecticut State Owls 1 1959 1959 0 1 0 1 .000
Southern Nazarene Crimson Storm 1 2011 2011 0 1 0 1 .000
Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs (Southwest State) 2 1987 1990 0 2 0 2 .000
Southwestern Oklahoma State Bulldogs (Southwestern State) 3 1977 1996 3 2 0 5 .600
Sul Ross Lobos 2 1965 1982 0 2 0 2 .000
Texas A&M–Kingsville Javelinas (Texas A&I) 8 1959 1979 16 1 0 17 .941
Tiffin Dragons 2 1993 1994 1 2 0 3 .333
UVA Wise Cavaliers (Clinch Valley) 2 1995 1996 0 2 0 2 .000
Walsh Cavaliers 1 2006 2006 0 1 0 1 .000
Washburn Ichabods 2 1986 1988 0 2 0 2 .000
West Alabama Tigers (Livingston) 2 1971 1972 2 1 0 3 .667
West Liberty Hilltoppers (West Liberty State) 2 1970 1971 0 2 0 2 .000
Western New Mexico Mustangs 2 1990 1993 0 2 0 2 .000
Western Oregon Wolves 2 1985 1997 0 2 0 2 .000
Western State Colorado Mountaineers (Western State) 4 1976 1991 2 4 0 6 .333
William Jewell Cardinals 6 1973 1990 6 6 0 12 .500
Winona State Warriors 1 1993 1993 0 1 0 1 .000

NCAA Division III

Team Appearances First Last Wins Losses Ties Total Pct.
Anderson Ravens 2 1970 1981 1 2 0 3 .333
Austin Kangaroos 4 1979 1990 2 3 1 6 .417
Bluffton Beavers 2 1987 1988 1 2 0 3 .333
Cal Lutheran Kingsmen 5 1971 1982 4 4 0 8 .500
Carthage Firebirds 2 1971 1973 0 2 0 2 .000
Central Dutch 1 1966 1966 0 1 0 1 .000
Concordia–Moorhead Cobbers 2 1978 1981 5 0 1 6 .917
Concordia–Wisconsin Falcons 1 1990 1990 0 1 0 1 .000
Eureka Red Devils 2 1991 1994 0 2 0 2 .000
Franklin Grizzlies 1 1972 1972 0 1 0 1 .000
Geneva Golden Tornadoes 5 1987 2005 3 4 0 7 .429
Greenville Panthers 1 1990 1990 0 1 0 1 .000
Gustavus Adolphus Golden Gusties 1 1958 1958 0 1 0 1 .000
Hanover Panthers 6 1974 1989 1 6 0 7 .143
Hardin–Simmons Cowboys 5 1992 1996 5 5 0 10 .500
Howard Payne Yellow Jackets 2 1992 1995 0 2 0 2 .000
Lewis & Clark Pioneers 2 1989 1991 0 2 0 2 .000
Linfield Wildcats 15 1961 1994 26 12 0 38 .684
McMurry War Hawks 1 1980 1980 0 1 0 1 .000
Pacific Lutheran Lutes 15 1979 1996 24 12 0 36 .667
Redlands Bulldogs 1 1976 1976 1 1 0 2 .500
Saint John's Johnnies 3 1963 1982 4 1 0 5 .800
Texas Lutheran Bulldogs 3 1974 1976 4 1 0 5 .800
Trine Thunder (Tri-State) 2 1998 2001 2 2 0 4 .500
Waynesburg Yellow Jackets 1 1966 1966 2 0 0 2 1.000
Westminster Titans 17 1970 1997 31 11 0 42 .738
Whitworth Pirates 1 1960 1960 0 1 0 1 .000
Willamette Bearcats 3 1968 1997 4 3 0 7 .571
Wilmington Quakers 3 1980 1983 2 3 0 5 .400
Wisconsin–La Crosse Eagles (Wisconsin State–La Crosse) 7 1973 1990 10 6 0 16 .625
Wisconsin–Platteville Pioneers (Wisconsin State–Platteville) 1 1970 1970 0 1 0 1 .000
Wisconsin–River Falls Falcons (Wisconsin State–River Falls) 1 1979 1979 0 1 0 1 .000
Wisconsin–Stevens Point Pointers (Wisconsin State–Stevens Point) 3 1977 1989 0 -5 0 5 –
Wisconsin–Whitewater Warhawks (Wisconsin State–Whitewater) 1 1966 1966 1 1 0 2 .500

Discontinued programs

Team Appearances First Last Wins Losses Ties Total Pct.
Azusa Pacific Cougars 8 1998 2011 9 7 0 16 .563
Cameron Aggies 4 1974 1987 7 2 0 9 .778
Dana Vikings 1 1987 1987 0 1 0 1 .000
Humboldt State Lumberjacks 1 1960 1960 1 1 0 2 .500
Huron Screaming Eagles 4 1986 2000 3 4 0 7 .429
Iowa Wesleyan Tigers 1 1991 1991 0 1 0 1 .000
Lambuth Eagles 8 1994 2009 7 8 0 15 .467
Malone Pioneers 2 1995 1998 1 2 0 3 .333
Oregon Tech Battling Owls 1 1988 1988 2 1 0 3 .667
Robert Morris Eagles 1 2016 2016 0 1 0 1 .000
St. Benedict's Ravens 1 1958 1958 0 1 0 1 .000
Saint Joseph's Pumas 1 1956 1956 0 0 1 1 .500
St. Mary of the Plains Cavaliers 3 1989 1991 0 3 0 3 .000
Salem International Tigers (Salem) 3 1975 1985 1 3 0 4 .250
Trinity Trolls 1 1994 1994 0 1 0 1 .000
Trinity International Trojans 1 2004 2004 0 1 0 1 .000
West Virginia Tech Golden Bears 1 1989 1989 0 1 0 1 .000
Westmar Eagles 1 1987 1987 0 1 0 1 .000
Western Washington Vikings 4 1992 1996 4 4 0 8 .500
Whittier Poets 1 1961 1961 0 1 0 1 .000

See also

References

  1. ^ "NAIA Championship Series All-Time Participation" (PDF). NAIA. pp. 12–14. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 15, 2015. Retrieved December 9, 2015.
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