CHAMPION CHRISTIAN COLLEGE TO JOIN THE AMERICAN MIDWEST CONFERENCE IN 2027-28
St. Louis, Mo. – The American Midwest Conference announced today that Champion Christian College (Hot Springs, Ark.) will join the American Midwest Conference for the 2027-28 academic year. Champion Christian was admitted to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) at the Association's Annual Convention last week and will compete in the Continental Athletic Conference for one year before joining the AMC.
"We are excited to welcome Champion Christian College to the American Midwest Conference. A growing institution with energetic leadership in President Dr. Eric Capci and the entire athletics staff, Champion will be a great addition for our membership," AMC Commissioner Will Wolper said. "It was evident on our visit that the administration, coaches and student-athletes are greatly aligned with their peers in the AMC from their embracing the NAIA Champions of Character® Five Core Values, to their commitment to academic excellence of their student-athletes, to their sport sponsorship and strategic plan for growth."
"As Chair of the AMC Council of Presidents, I am pleased to congratulate Champion Christian College on its admission into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and membership in the American Midwest Conference," Williams Baptist University President Dr. Stan Norman said. "Their inclusion is a strong indicator of our Conference's continued growth in competitive excellence and strategic expansion. We are especially encouraged by this milestone as it strengthens the AMC's presence and future in the State of Arkansas. We look forward to working with President Eric Capaci and the CCC community as they transition into the AMC."
Champion Christian College was founded in 2005 as Champion Baptist College. In 2015, Champion decided to strengthen its educational programs and improve its response to students' educational needs. Accreditation attainment became the first step toward the College's academic excellence. With the support and goodwill of several local pastors and business professionals, the College became an independent non-profit corporation, changed its name to Champion Christian College, and elected a Board of Trustees. As a fully accredited institution, Champion Christian College continues to offer the same quality education built upon its signature foundation of adherence to Scripture and compassion for our students.
"Champion Christian College is honored and delighted to be joining the AMC. The membership process was engaging, transparent, and marked by the same quality and professionalism that characterizes this Conference," Champion Christian President Dr. Eric Capaci said. "We are eager to participate in a regional conference that fits both the growth of our athletic programs and our geographic needs, and we look forward to making a meaningful contribution to the AMC— above all through the quality of our student-athletes, the character of our programs, and the values of our institution."
The Tigers' athletics program began in 2006 with men's basketball and has since expanded to include women's basketball, volleyball, baseball, track and field, and cross country. Men's and women's soccer are set to begin competition in Fall 2026. Currently competing in the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA), CCC's women's basketball has earned four No. 1 national tournament seeds in the past six years, along with two national championships and one runner-up finish.
"Joining the AMC is both an honor and a privilege. We're grateful for the opportunity to align with a conference that values competitive excellence, character, and student-athlete development, and we look forward to contributing to its proud tradition," Champion Christian Athletics Director DeAnthony Ellison said.
The addition of Champion Christian will result in the AMC having four schools in Arkansas and six in Missouri for the 2027-28 academic year, as the Conference focuses on strategic growth that will enable divisional play to be introduced in the future.
The American Midwest Conference (AMC), a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), has 10 full members in Arkansas and Missouri. Formed in 1986 as the Show-Me Collegiate Conference, the AMC sponsors championships in 17 sports and emphasizes the NAIA Champions of Character® Initiative and its five core values – integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership.