Mid-States Football Association
Encyclopedia
The Mid-States Football Association (MSFA) is a college athletic conference affiliated with the NAIA
. Member institutions are located in Illinois
, Indiana
, Iowa
, and Ohio
. The MSFA was organized in 1993, and on-field competition began in 1994. The MSFA is divided into two leagues, The Mideast and the Midwest.
Charter members included Geneva College
, Lindenwood University
, Malone College
, Olivet Nazarene University
, Saint Xavier University, Taylor University
, Tiffin University
, Trinity International University
, the University of Findlay
, Urbana University
, and Westminster College.
. For other sports, MSFA-member schools are affiliated with a variety of other conferences, including American Mideast Conference
, American Midwest Conference
, Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference
, Mid-Central College Conference
, Midwest Collegiate Conference, and Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference
.
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is an athletic association that organizes college and university-level athletic programs. Membership in the NAIA consists of smaller colleges and universities across the United States. The NAIA allows colleges and universities outside the USA...
. Member institutions are located in Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
, Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
, and Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. The MSFA was organized in 1993, and on-field competition began in 1994. The MSFA is divided into two leagues, The Mideast and the Midwest.
Charter members included Geneva College
Geneva College
Geneva College is a Christian liberal arts college in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, United States, north of Pittsburgh. Founded in 1848, in Northwood, Ohio, the college moved to its present location in 1880, where it continues to educate a student body of about 1400 traditional undergraduates in...
, Lindenwood University
Lindenwood University
Lindenwood University, often referred to as Lindenwood or LU, is a private, coeducational, liberal arts university located in Saint Charles, Missouri, United States...
, Malone College
Malone College
Malone College may refer to:*Malone College in Belfast, Northern Ireland*Malone University, formerly Malone College, in Canton, Ohio, USA....
, Olivet Nazarene University
Olivet Nazarene University
Olivet Nazarene University is a Christian institution of higher education located in the Kankakee, Illinois village of Bourbonnais. Named for Olivet, Illinois, ONU was originally established as a grammar school in east-central Illinois in 1907...
, Saint Xavier University, Taylor University
Taylor University
Taylor University is a private, interdenominational, evangelical Christian college located in Upland, Indiana. Founded in 1846, it is one of the oldest evangelical Christian colleges in America....
, Tiffin University
Tiffin University
Tiffin University is a university in Tiffin, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1888, Tiffin University enrolls over 4,900 students in undergraduate and graduate degree programs offered at the Tiffin campus in Tiffin, Ohio, at the University of Bucharest in Romania, and at several locations in Ohio,...
, Trinity International University
Trinity International University
Trinity International University is an evangelical Christian institution of higher education headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois. It comprises an undergraduate college, a graduate school, a theological seminary , and a law school--together with nearly 3,000 students...
, the University of Findlay
University of Findlay
The University of Findlay is a private university located in the city of Findlay in Hancock County, Ohio, United States. It was affiliated with the Churches of God, General Conference, and was founded in 1882 by the city of Findlay and the Churches of God, General Conference. Findlay offers more...
, Urbana University
Urbana University
Urbana University is a private university specializing in liberal arts education. Urbana is located in Urbana, Ohio, approximately one hour west of Columbus and one hour northeast of Dayton.-History:...
, and Westminster College.
Mideast League (MEL)
- Concordia University Cardinals (2011)
- Malone University Pioneers (1994)
- Marian University Knights (2007)
- Quincy UniversityQuincy UniversityQuincy University a private liberal arts Catholic university in the Franciscan tradition. It is located in Quincy, Illinois and currently enrolls around 1,300 students.-History:...
Hawks - University of Saint Francis (IN)University of Saint Francis (Indiana)The University of Saint Francis is a liberal arts university located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, the university promotes Catholic and Franciscan values...
Cougars (1998) - Saint Xavier University Cougars (1994)
- Taylor UniversityTaylor UniversityTaylor University is a private, interdenominational, evangelical Christian college located in Upland, Indiana. Founded in 1846, it is one of the oldest evangelical Christian colleges in America....
Trojans (1994) - Walsh UniversityWalsh UniversityWalsh University is a private non-profit, 4-year, Roman Catholic university in North Canton, Ohio, USA. It was founded in 1960 by the Brothers of Christian Instruction, initially as a liberal arts college. Walsh College became Walsh University in 1993. The University offers more than 50 majors,...
Cavaliers (1996)
Midwest League (MWL)
- Grand View University Vikings (2008)
- Iowa Wesleyan CollegeIowa Wesleyan CollegeIowa Wesleyan College is a private four-year liberal arts college of the United Methodist Church located Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.Iowa Wesleyan is recognized as a pioneer in higher education in America. Founded in 1842, it ranks as the oldest coeducational college located west of the Mississippi River...
Tigers (1996) - McKendree University Bearcats (1998)
- Olivet Nazarene UniversityOlivet Nazarene UniversityOlivet Nazarene University is a Christian institution of higher education located in the Kankakee, Illinois village of Bourbonnais. Named for Olivet, Illinois, ONU was originally established as a grammar school in east-central Illinois in 1907...
Tigers (1994) - Saint Ambrose UniversitySaint Ambrose UniversitySt. Ambrose University is a private, coeducational, liberal arts university affiliated with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Davenport. It is located in a residential area of Davenport, Iowa.-History:...
Fighting Bees (1996) - University of St. Francis (IL) Fighting Saints (2000)
- Trinity International UniversityTrinity International UniversityTrinity International University is an evangelical Christian institution of higher education headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois. It comprises an undergraduate college, a graduate school, a theological seminary , and a law school--together with nearly 3,000 students...
Trojans (1994) - Waldorf CollegeWaldorf CollegeWaldorf College, located in Forest City, Iowa, is a four-year liberal arts, for-profit college.Founded in 1903, the college was affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America until 2009, when, due to financial problems, the college was sold to for-profit Mayes Education, owner of...
Warriors (2009) - William Penn UniversityWilliam Penn UniversityWilliam Penn University is a private, liberal arts university in Oskaloosa, Iowa, United States. It was founded by members of the Religious Society of Friends in 1873 as Penn College...
Statesmen (2003)
Former members (and years of membership)
- University of FindlayUniversity of FindlayThe University of Findlay is a private university located in the city of Findlay in Hancock County, Ohio, United States. It was affiliated with the Churches of God, General Conference, and was founded in 1882 by the city of Findlay and the Churches of God, General Conference. Findlay offers more...
Oilers (1994–1997) - Geneva CollegeGeneva CollegeGeneva College is a Christian liberal arts college in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, United States, north of Pittsburgh. Founded in 1848, in Northwood, Ohio, the college moved to its present location in 1880, where it continues to educate a student body of about 1400 traditional undergraduates in...
Golden Tornadoes (1994–2006) - Lindenwood UniversityLindenwood UniversityLindenwood University, often referred to as Lindenwood or LU, is a private, coeducational, liberal arts university located in Saint Charles, Missouri, United States...
Lions (1994–1995) - Ohio Dominican UniversityOhio Dominican UniversityOhio Dominican University is a private four-year liberal arts institution, founded in 1911 in the Catholic and Dominican traditions. The main campus spans over in the North Central neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio, United States. The university has just over 3,100 students and offers undergraduate...
Panthers (2004–2008) - Tiffin UniversityTiffin UniversityTiffin University is a university in Tiffin, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1888, Tiffin University enrolls over 4,900 students in undergraduate and graduate degree programs offered at the Tiffin campus in Tiffin, Ohio, at the University of Bucharest in Romania, and at several locations in Ohio,...
Dragons (1994–2001) - Tri-State University Thunder (1996–2003)
- Urbana UniversityUrbana UniversityUrbana University is a private university specializing in liberal arts education. Urbana is located in Urbana, Ohio, approximately one hour west of Columbus and one hour northeast of Dayton.-History:...
Blue Knights (1994–2008) - Westminster College Titans (1994–1997)
Sports
The MSFA sponsors teams only in footballAmerican football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
. For other sports, MSFA-member schools are affiliated with a variety of other conferences, including American Mideast Conference
American Mideast Conference
The American Mideast Conference is an affiliate of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics that includes eight member institutions in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and Massachusetts. Founded in 1949, it was known as the Mid-Ohio League, and named the Mid-Ohio Conference from 1962...
, American Midwest Conference
American Midwest Conference
The American Midwest Conference is a NAIA college athletic conference with nine member institutions located in Arkansas, Illinois, and Missouri in the United States.-Members:Notes:...
, Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference
Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference
The Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference is a college athletic conference affiliated with the NAIA. Its 14 members are located in the Midwestern United States...
, Mid-Central College Conference
Mid-Central College Conference
The Mid-Central College Conference is an athletic conference composed of NAIA private Christian colleges in Indiana, Michigan and Ohio . The current conference commissioner is J. D...
, Midwest Collegiate Conference, and Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference
Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference
The Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference is a college athletic conference of ten colleges and universities in the U.S. states of Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. Founded in 1992, the conference was created as a successor group for the now-defunct NAIA District 23...
.