Wesleyan College ratified for NAIA membership, joining Southern States Athletic Conference in 2026

Wesleyan will join the NAIA’s Southern States Athletic Conference on July 1, 2026, offering scholarships and expanding varsity sports.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)- Wesleyan College has been ratified for membership in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) after a Sept. 28 vote. The Wolves will complete the 2025–26 season in NCAA Division III before beginning NAIA competition on July 1, 2026, with affiliation in the Southern States Athletic Conference. “Wesleyan opened doors for women in 1836 — and we’re still opening them,” said President Meaghan Blight. “NAIA and SSAC membership expands access to a world-class education for talented student-athletes right here in Middle Georgia.”

The move allows Wesleyan to offer athletic scholarships starting with the fall 2026 class. Blight said the shift “means more opportunities to compete” and gives athletes “personalized mentorship and care from coaches and professors, on the court and in the classroom.” Athletic Director Seth Berkebile added, “This is a real opportunity for our student-athletes to play in front of their community more often and face a competitive slate that gives them realistic postseason paths. It’s a win for our athletes and for Middle Georgia.”

Wesleyan currently fields varsity teams in basketball, soccer, softball, volleyball and beach volleyball. The NAIA transition also opens the door for new teams in flag football, competitive cheer and wrestling, according to a news release from Wesleyan. Berkebile encouraged prospective athletes to connect with coaches, saying, “We’ll walk you and your family through a smooth, supportive application and scholarship process, step by step.”

Southern States Athletic Conference Commissioner Mike Hall welcomed the move, calling Wesleyan “a perfect geographic and competitive fit” and praising Blight’s vision. “We look forward to seeing the Wolves compete for championships and athletic and academic honors across the SSAC,” Hall said. The NAIA’s Champions of Character framework — integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership — will also guide Wesleyan student-athletes as they begin their new chapter.