ALISO VIEJO, Calif. — The Great Southwest Athletic Conference (GSAC) has announced the addition of Yavapai College as its newest member institution, adding a program with a rich tradition of athletic success to the conference. The move comes following Yavapai’s approval as a new member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) by the NAIA Council of Presidents on Monday, Sept. 28. Yavapai will join the NAIA and GSAC for the 2027-28 academic year.

Located in Prescott, Arizona, Yavapai strengthens the GSAC’s presence in the Southwest while aligning with a conference that has established itself as a consistent contender on the national level. Through GSAC affiliation, Yavapai’s teams will have the opportunity to compete in conference play and qualify for postseason championships.

“We are excited to welcome Yavapai College to the GSAC. Their history of success speaks to the strength and tradition of their athletics program, and we believe their commitment to providing opportunities and a quality experience for student-athletes aligns well with the values of our conference,” GSAC Commissioner Mike Daniels said. “Yavapai will be a strong addition to the GSAC, and we look forward to working alongside their administration, coaches and student-athletes as they begin this new chapter in the NAIA.”

Yavapai currently competes in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and brings five decades of athletic success to the GSAC. The Roughriders have built championship traditions across multiple sports, including seven NJCAA national championships in men’s soccer, four in baseball, two in softball and two in cross country. Yavapai’s baseball national championships span more than four decades, including titles in 1993 and 2016.

Yavapai sponsors seven intercollegiate sports: baseball, softball, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s basketball and women’s volleyball. All seven programs will join the GSAC beginning with the 2027-28 academic year.

“Being accepted into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) is a proud, historic milestone for Yavapai College, and a natural next chapter for an athletics program that has been winning on the national stage for five decades,” Acting Yavapai College President Doug Berry, Ph.D., said. “Our Roughriders have brought home 16 national championships, including seven men's soccer titles that made Yavapai the most successful junior college soccer program in the country, and baseball championships from 1975 to 2016. Competing in the NAIA's Great Southwest Athletic Conference, our student-athletes will carry that legacy onto a larger stage. They'll challenge themselves, grow as leaders, and represent Yavapai College and our community with the same grit and excellence that have defined the Roughriders for generations. We're proud of what this means for our students, and excited about the energy, pride, and new opportunities this will bring to our entire community.”

Yavapai College serves communities throughout Yavapai County and offers more than 100 degrees and certificates, including six baccalaureate degrees. Through on-campus and online programs, the college emphasizes career preparation, workforce education and lifelong learning.

Yavapai’s addition continues the growth of the GSAC across the western United States and further strengthens the conference’s presence in Arizona.

The GSAC, comprised of institutions with a shared commitment to academic and athletic excellence, has established itself as a consistent national contender. GSAC member institutions have combined to win 55 national championships, highlighting the conference’s tradition of success at the highest level of NAIA competition.