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  • Arkansas Baptist

    Arkansas Baptist

  • Carolina University

    Carolina University

  • Fisher College

    Fisher College

  • Florida College

    Florida College

  • Florida National University

    Florida National University

  • Georgia Gwinnett College

    Georgia Gwinnett College

  • Haskell Indian Nations University

    Haskell Indian Nations University

  • Morris College

    Morris College

  • Northern New Mexico College

    Northern New Mexico College

  • Spartanburg Methodist College

    Spartanburg Methodist College

  • University of Victoria

    University of Victoria

  • Washington Adventist University

    Washington Adventist University

About the CAC

Under the leadership of Larry Stephan, athletics director at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and Diane St. Denis, associate athletics director at Simon Fraser University, the Association of Independent Institutions (A.I.I.) was incorporated in July 2008 in the state of Missouri. The A.I.I. received tax-exempt status from the IRS in January 2009. Its Federal Employer Identification Number is 26-3044251.

Stephan and St. Denis hired the A.I.I.'s first commissioner, Ted Breidenthal, president of Sports Association Management, Inc., in March 2008. The conference went through a rebranding and was officially named the Continental Athletic Conference beginning for the 2021-22 athletic year.

The purpose of the Continental Athletic Conference is to promote the education, development and welfare of student-athletes through their various experiences and participation in NAIA intercollegiate athletics.

The CAC:

  • facilitates effective and active participation in the NAIA legislative process and governance structure;
  • seeks equitable opportunities for participation by student-athletes in NAIA championships, and other educational opportunities for student-athletes;
  • oversees and administers CAC postseason championships competition in sports where NAIA direct qualification berths are at stake;
  • isolates problems common to all independent institutions and organizes to study and achieve solutions to these problems;
  • oversees the certification of eligibility for its student-athletes and provides a mechanism for review of exception requests, violations and appeals;
  • and provides weekly, monthly and annual recognition programs for student-athletes from all CAC member institutions.


CAC programs, events and initiatives take place mainly during the academic calendar year (August-May). Planning for events, initiatives and programs for the coming year is emphasized during the summer months. Postseason A.I.I. championship competition will take place throughout the U.S. Host sites for CAC Tournaments are approved by the CAC's Administrative Committee. Activities will be funded by annual membership dues of the member schools.

The term "independent" refers to an NAIA member institution that does not belong to an NAIA-affiliated conference. Independent member institutions that join the CAC are required to pay annual dues and per-sport dues as established by the Administrative Committee.