William Woods football joins Heart of America conference
FULTON, Mo. (KMIZ)
The first-ever William Woods football team now has a conference to reside in. The athletic department announced that the Owls will join the Heart of America Athletic Conference, as an associate member, ahead of the program's inaugural season in 2024.
The Owls will be a part of the south division, joining rival Missouri Baptist University along with Central Methodist University and Missouri Valley, as well.
"The invitation to join the storied Heart of America Athletic Conference is the latest milestone in our groundbreaking decision to add intercollegiate football for the first time in the 153-year history of William Woods University," Dr. Jeremy Moreland, President of William Woods University said in a press release on Monday. "For more than a half-century, the institutions and football programs of the Heart of America have demonstrated excellence both on and off the field while committed to the mission of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), just as we are at The Woods."
The Heart Conference will also bring St. Ambrose University on board as well, making it the largest football athletic conference in the NAIA, with 14 teams across two divisions. The conference has advanced three teams to the NAIA National Championship in 2021, 2018 and 2016.
"I can't express enough our excitement to join the Heart of America Athletic Conference," head coach Julian Mendez said in a press release. "The historical significance of the conference is immense and to be able to start this journey with William Woods Football in the Heart is awesome! There will be natural rivalries and extremely competitive football being played on Saturday afternoons!"
William Woods' first-ever football season will kick off in 2024.
