Avila University Athletics

Avila competes in the NAIA, which sits between NCAA Division I powerhouses and Division III recreational programs, offering athletic scholarships while maintaining a focus on academics over big-time sports. The Eagles field 13 varsity teams with 396 total athletes, meaning about one-third of the 1,192-student body participates in varsity athletics. The university distributes over $10.2 million in athletic scholarships, demonstrating significant investment in recruiting competitive student-athletes. Avila competes in the Heart of America Athletic Conference, which includes regional rivals like Missouri Baptist and William Jewell College. The Eagles have built respectable programs across multiple sports, with basketball and soccer traditionally showing strong competitiveness within their conference. The intimate campus size creates strong school spirit, with many non-athletes supporting their classmates at games.