St. Ambrose University in Davenport will join the Heart of America Athletic Conference as a full member beginning with the 2026-27 academic year, the university announced Monday, capping a unanimous vote by the league’s Council of Presidents last week.
The Heart’s Council of Presidents voted unanimously to approve St. Ambrose’s full membership on Feb. 13.
The addition brings the Heart to 16 full member institutions spanning Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska, along with 13 affiliate members that compete in select conference-sponsored sports.
Full members include Baker University, Benedictine College and MidAmerica Nazarene University in Kansas; Clarke University, Graceland University, Grand View University, Mount Mercy University and William Penn University in Iowa; Peru State College in Nebraska; and Culver-Stockton College, Central Methodist University, Missouri Baptist University, Missouri Valley College, Park University and William Woods University in Missouri.
Conference Commissioner Nik Rule said the decision reflects the Heart’s commitment to intentional growth, institutional alignment and long-term competitive stability within the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
“St. Ambrose University is not simply joining our conference — they are strengthening the future of The Heart,” Mr. Rule said. “This decision reflects our commitment to building a conference defined by alignment, ambition, and competitive excellence. St. Ambrose brings institutional strength, high expectations, and a clear vision for growth.”
St. Ambrose President Amy Novak said the move marks a new chapter for the Davenport university. “Joining the Heart of America Athletic Conference marks an exciting new chapter for St. Ambrose University,” Ms. Novak said. “We are proud to align with institutions that share our commitment to competitive excellence, academic integrity, and the formation of student-athletes who lead with courage, character, and heart.”
St. Ambrose currently competes as a Heart affiliate member in football, men’s and women’s lacrosse, men’s wrestling and esports.
Upon joining as a full member in 2026-27, the Fighting Bees will expand their conference participation to include baseball, softball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s bowling, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track and field, competitive cheer, competitive dance, men’s and women’s volleyball and men’s and women’s wrestling — more than 20 conference-sponsored sports in total.
