The following is a list of current National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) schools that have participated in the playoffs (also known as the championship series) leading to the NAIA football national championship since 1956. The playoffs featured two teams in 1956, four teams from 1958, eight teams from 1978, sixteen teams from 1987, and twenty teams from 2023 until the present. A separate NAIA Division II football national championship was also held between 1970 and 1996, with the same number of teams competing in its annual playoffs.[1]
Many of the teams who participated in past editions of the playoffs have subsequently joined the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) or disbanded their programs.
Team | Appearances | First | Last | Wins | Losses | Ties | Total | Pct. | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Arizona Christian Firestorm | 2 | 2020 | 2022 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||
Avila Eagles | 1 | 2022 | 2022 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
Baker Wildcats | 20 | 1980 | 2023 | 19 | 20 | 0 | 39 | ||
Benedictine Ravens | 15 | 1985 | 2022 | 8 | 15 | 0 | 23 | ||
Bethany Swedes | 10 | 1978 | 1999 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 13 | ||
Bethel (KS) Threshers | 3 | 1984 | 2020 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||
Bethel (TN) Wildcats | 7 | 2006 | 2023 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 11 | ||
Campbellsville Tigers | 4 | 1997 | 2015 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 5 | ||
Carroll Fighting Saints | 24 | 1978 | 2022 | 42 | 18 | 0 | 60 | ||
Central Methodist Eagles | 1 | 2021 | 2021 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
College of Idaho Coyotes | 2 | 2019 | 2023 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 5 | ||
Concordia (MI) Cardinals | 5 | 2017 | 2021 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 8 | ||
Concordia (NE) Bulldogs | 1 | 2002 | 2002 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | ||
Cumberland Bulldogs | 1 | 1993 | 1993 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
Cumberlands Patriots | 9 | 1988 | 2019 | 6 | 9 | 0 | 15 | ||
Dakota Wesleyan Tigers | 1 | 1992 | 1992 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
Dickinson State Blue Hawks | 24 | 1981 | 2023 | 8 | 24 | 0 | 32 | ||
Doane Tigers | 6 | 1972 | 2016 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 9 | ||
Dordt Defenders | 2 | 2020 | 2023 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | ||
Eastern Oregon Mountaineers (Oregon College) | 3 | 1975 | 2016 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 5 | ||
Evangel Crusaders | 5 | 1988 | 2023 | 7 | 8 | 0 | 15 | ||
Faulkner Eagles | 2 | 2013 | 2014 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||
Friends Falcons | 4 | 1992 | 2008 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | ||
Georgetown Tigers | 23 | 1987 | 2023 | 27 | 20 | 0 | 47 | ||
Graceland Yellowjackets | 1 | 2005 | 2005 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
Grand View Vikings | 12 | 2011 | 2023 | 15 | 11 | 0 | 26 | ||
Hastings Broncos | 8 | 1991 | 2009 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 11 | ||
Indiana Wesleyan Wildcats | 3 | 2021 | 2023 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 | ||
Jamestown Jimmies | 5 | 1979 | 2007 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 6 | ||
Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes | 6 | 2001 | 2021 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 10 | ||
Keiser Seahawks | 5 | 2019 | 2023 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 14 | ||
Langston Lions | 8 | 1973 | 2018 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 10 | ||
Lindsey Wilson Blue Raiders | 8 | 2014 | 2022 | 12 | 7 | 0 | 19 | ||
Louisiana Christian Wildcats | 1 | 2023 | 2023 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
Marian Knights | 12 | 2010 | 2023 | 20 | 10 | 0 | 30 | ||
McPherson Bulldogs | 2 | 2009 | 2010 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||
MidAmerica Nazarene Pioneers | 11 | 2000 | 2014 | 6 | 11 | 0 | 17 | ||
Midland Warriors | 3 | 1979 | 1994 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||
Missouri Valley Vikings | 13 | 1974 | 2016 | 11 | 13 | 0 | 24 | ||
Montana State–Northern Lights | 1 | 2006 | 2006 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
Montana Tech Orediggers | 10 | 1971 | 2023 | 5 | 10 | 0 | 15 | ||
Montana Western Bulldogs | 5 | 1994 | 2023 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 6 | ||
Morningside Mustangs | 20 | 2004 | 2023 | 34 | 17 | 0 | 51 | ||
Nebraska Wesleyan Prairie Wolves | 4 | 1988 | 2000 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 5 | ||
Northwestern Red Raiders | 25 | 1972 | 2023 | 33 | 22 | 0 | 55 | ||
Oklahoma Panhandle State Aggies (Panhandle State) | 1 | 1981 | 1981 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
Olivet Nazarene Tigers | 3 | 1998 | 2020 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 | ||
Ottawa (AZ) Spirit | 2 | 2019 | 2021 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||
Ottawa (KS) Braves | 10 | 1997 | 2023 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 11 | ||
Peru State Bobcats | 9 | 1989 | 1991 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 8 | ||
Pikeville Bears | 1 | 2005 | 2005 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
Point Skyhawks | 1 | 2015 | 2015 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
Reinhardt University Eagles | 9 | 2015 | 2023 | 6 | 8 | 0 | 14 | ||
Rocky Mountain Battlin' Bears | 4 | 1998 | 2018 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 5 | ||
13 | 1984 | 2013 | 4 | 12 | 0 | 16 | |||
2 | 1987 | 2011 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | |||
Saint Francis (IN) Cougars | 19 | 1999 | 2019 | 33 | 17 | 0 | 50 | ||
1 | 2023 | 2023 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | |||
Saint Xavier Cougars | 16 | 2002 | 2023 | 19 | 15 | 0 | 34 | ||
Southeastern Fire | 2 | 2016 | 2017 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||
Southern Oregon Raiders | 7 | 1987 | 2017 | 13 | 6 | 0 | 19 | ||
Southwestern Moundbuilders | 7 | 1984 | 2022 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 8 | ||
Sterling Warriors | 3 | 2013 | 2017 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||
Tabor Bluejays | 5 | 2003 | 2015 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 8 | ||
Taylor Trojans | 2 | 1998 | 1999 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | ||
Union (Kentucky) Bulldogs | 1 | 2008 | 2008 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
Valley City State Vikings | 9 | 1976 | 2014 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 10 | ||
William Penn Statesmen | 9 | 1975 | 2012 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
Team | Appearances | First | Last | Wins | Losses | Ties | Total | Pct. | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sam Houston Bearkats | 1 | 1964 | 1964 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | ||
Troy Trojans (Troy State) | 1 | 1968 | 1968 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Team | Appearances | First | Last | Wins | Losses | Ties | Total | Pct. | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Abilene Christian Wildcats | 2 | 1973 | 1977 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | ||
Arkansas–Pine Bluff Golden Lions | 2 | 1994 | 1995 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | ||
Central Arkansas Bears | 13 | 1976 | 1992 | 12 | 10 | 2 | 24 | ||
Eastern Washington Eagles (Eastern Washington State) | 2 | 1967 | 1967 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | ||
Elon Phoenix | 6 | 1973 | 1981 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 13 | ||
Gardner–Webb Running Bulldogs | 2 | 1987 | 1992 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 5 | ||
Lindenwood Lions | 6 | 1998 | 2010 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 11 | ||
Montana State Bobcats | 1 | 1956 | 1956 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks (Arizona State–Flagstaff) | 1 | 1958 | 1958 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | ||
Prairie View A&M Panthers | 1 | 1963 | 1963 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | ||
Presbyterian Blue Hose | 2 | 1979 | 1987 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | ||
St. Thomas (MN) Tommies | 1 | 1983 | 1983 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
Tarleton Texans | 4 | 1978 | 1990 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 7 | ||
Texas A&M–Commerce Lions (East Texas State) | 2 | 1972 | 1980 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 | ||
Wofford Terriers | 1 | 1970 | 1970 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
Team (former names) | Appearances | First | Last | Wins | Losses | Ties | Total | Pct. | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adams State Grizzlies | 2 | 1988 | 1989 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 6 | ||
Angelo State Rams | 3 | 1978 | 1980 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 6 | ||
Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys | 2 | 1971 | 1994 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | ||
Arkansas–Monticello Boll Weevils | 2 | 1988 | 1993 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | ||
Black Hills State Yellow Jackets | 2 | 2006 | 2007 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||
Carson–Newman Eagles | 11 | 1972 | 1992 | 20 | 5 | 1 | 26 | ||
Catawba Indians | 1 | 1988 | 1988 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
Central State Marauders | 9 | 1987 | 1995 | 14 | 6 | 0 | 20 | ||
Central Oklahoma Bronchos (Central State) | 6 | 1962 | 1985 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 11 | ||
Central Washington Wildcats | 9 | 1984 | 1998 | 11 | 7 | 1 | 19 | ||
Chadron State Eagles | 2 | 1989 | 1990 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||
Colorado Mesa Mavericks (Mesa State) | 7 | 1982 | 1990 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 16 | ||
Concord Mountain Lions | 8 | 1977 | 1992 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 8 | ||
Concordia Golden Bears | 2 | 1964 | 1969 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | ||
CSU Pueblo ThunderWolves (Southern Colorado) | 1 | 1982 | 1982 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
East Central Tigers | 2 | 1983 | 1994 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 | ||
Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds | 1 | 1983 | 1983 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
Edinboro Fighting Scots (Edinboro State) | 1 | 1970 | 1970 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
Emporia State Hornets | 5 | 1962 | 1989 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 7 | ||
Fairmont State Falcons | 4 | 1965 | 1988 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 5 | ||
Findlay Oilers | 13 | 1964 | 1997 | 21 | 9 | 1 | 31 | ||
Fort Hays State Tigers | 1 | 1990 | 1990 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
Glenville State Pioneers | 3 | 1973 | 1994 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 | ||
Grand Valley State Lakers | 1 | 1978 | 1978 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | ||
Harding Bison | 2 | 1989 | 1992 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||
Henderson State Reddies | 2 | 1974 | 1985 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | ||
Hillsdale Chargers | 8 | 1957 | 1988 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 14 | ||
Lenoir–Rhyne Bears | 3 | 1959 | 1962 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 6 | ||
Mars Hill Lions | 1 | 1980 | 1980 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
Mary Marauders | 10 | 1993 | 2004 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 17 | ||
McKendree Bearcats | 9 | 1997 | 2010 | 3 | 9 | 0 | 12 | ||
Midwestern State Mustangs | 1 | 1991 | 1991 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | ||
Minnesota–Crookston Golden Eagles | 1 | 1997 | 1997 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
Minnesota State–Moorhead Dragons (Moorhead State) | 8 | 1981 | 1994 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 10 | ||
Minot State Beavers | 7 | 1970 | 2009 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 10 | ||
Missouri Southern State Lions | 1 | 1972 | 1972 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
Nebraska–Kearney Lopers (Kearney State) | 4 | 1963 | 1980 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 5 | ||
New Mexico Highlands Cowboys | 3 | 1966 | 1969 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||
Northeastern State RiverHawks | 9 | 1958 | 1995 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 16 | ||
Northwestern Oklahoma State Rangers (Northwestern State) | 12 | 1987 | 2010 | 12 | 10 | 0 | 22 | ||
Northern Michigan Wildcats | 2 | 1960 | 1967 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||
Northern State Wolves | 5 | 1961 | 1988 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | ||
Ohio Dominican Panthers | 1 | 2007 | 2007 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | ||
Ouachita Baptist Tigers | 2 | 1975 | 1982 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||
Pittsburg State Gorillas | 7 | 1957 | 1988 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 14 | ||
Saginaw Valley State Cardinals | 3 | 1979 | 1984 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 5 | ||
Shepherd Rams | 4 | 1983 | 1992 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 5 | ||
Shorter Hawks | 1 | 2008 | 2008 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
Sioux Falls Cougars | 16 | 1988 | 2010 | 36 | 12 | 0 | 48 | ||
Southeastern Oklahoma State Savage Storm (Southeastern State) | 1 | 1988 | 1988 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | ||
Southern Connecticut State Owls | 1 | 1959 | 1959 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
Southern Nazarene Crimson Storm | 1 | 2011 | 2011 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs (Southwest State) | 2 | 1987 | 1990 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||
Southwestern Oklahoma State Bulldogs (Southwestern State) | 3 | 1977 | 1996 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 5 | ||
Sul Ross Lobos | 2 | 1965 | 1982 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||
Texas A&M–Kingsville Javelinas (Texas A&I) | 8 | 1959 | 1979 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 17 | ||
Tiffin Dragons | 2 | 1993 | 1994 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | ||
UVA Wise Cavaliers (Clinch Valley) | 2 | 1995 | 1996 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||
Walsh Cavaliers | 1 | 2006 | 2006 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
Washburn Ichabods | 2 | 1986 | 1988 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||
West Alabama Tigers (Livingston) | 2 | 1971 | 1972 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | ||
West Liberty Hilltoppers (West Liberty State) | 2 | 1970 | 1971 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||
Western New Mexico Mustangs | 2 | 1990 | 1993 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||
Western Oregon Wolves | 2 | 1985 | 1997 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||
Western State Colorado Mountaineers (Western State) | 4 | 1976 | 1991 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 6 | ||
William Jewell Cardinals | 6 | 1973 | 1990 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 12 | ||
Winona State Warriors | 1 | 1993 | 1993 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Team | Appearances | First | Last | Wins | Losses | Ties | Total | Pct. | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Anderson Ravens | 2 | 1970 | 1981 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | ||
Austin Kangaroos | 4 | 1979 | 1990 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 6 | ||
Bluffton Beavers | 2 | 1987 | 1988 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | ||
Cal Lutheran Kingsmen | 5 | 1971 | 1982 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 8 | ||
Carthage Firebirds | 2 | 1971 | 1973 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||
Central Dutch | 1 | 1966 | 1966 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
Concordia–Moorhead Cobbers | 2 | 1978 | 1981 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 6 | ||
Concordia–Wisconsin Falcons | 1 | 1990 | 1990 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
Eureka Red Devils | 2 | 1991 | 1994 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||
Franklin Grizzlies | 1 | 1972 | 1972 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
Geneva Golden Tornadoes | 5 | 1987 | 2005 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 7 | ||
Greenville Panthers | 1 | 1990 | 1990 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
Gustavus Adolphus Golden Gusties | 1 | 1958 | 1958 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
Hanover Panthers | 6 | 1974 | 1989 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 7 | ||
Hardin–Simmons Cowboys | 5 | 1992 | 1996 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 10 | ||
Howard Payne Yellow Jackets | 2 | 1992 | 1995 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||
Lewis & Clark Pioneers | 2 | 1989 | 1991 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||
Linfield Wildcats | 15 | 1961 | 1994 | 26 | 12 | 0 | 38 | ||
McMurry War Hawks | 1 | 1980 | 1980 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
Pacific Lutheran Lutes | 15 | 1979 | 1996 | 24 | 12 | 0 | 36 | ||
Redlands Bulldogs | 1 | 1976 | 1976 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | ||
Saint John's Johnnies | 3 | 1963 | 1982 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 5 | ||
Texas Lutheran Bulldogs | 3 | 1974 | 1976 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 5 | ||
Trine Thunder (Tri-State) | 2 | 1998 | 2001 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | ||
Waynesburg Yellow Jackets | 1 | 1966 | 1966 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
Westminster Titans | 17 | 1970 | 1997 | 31 | 11 | 0 | 42 | ||
Whitworth Pirates | 1 | 1960 | 1960 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
Willamette Bearcats | 3 | 1968 | 1997 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 7 | ||
Wilmington Quakers | 3 | 1980 | 1983 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 5 | ||
Wisconsin–La Crosse Eagles (Wisconsin State–La Crosse) | 7 | 1973 | 1990 | 10 | 6 | 0 | 16 | ||
Wisconsin–Platteville Pioneers (Wisconsin State–Platteville) | 1 | 1970 | 1970 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
Wisconsin–River Falls Falcons (Wisconsin State–River Falls) | 1 | 1979 | 1979 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
Wisconsin–Stevens Point Pointers (Wisconsin State–Stevens Point) | 3 | 1977 | 1989 | 0 | -5 | 0 | 5 | ||
Wisconsin–Whitewater Warhawks (Wisconsin State–Whitewater) | 1 | 1966 | 1966 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
Team | Appearances | First | Last | Wins | Losses | Ties | Total | Pct. | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Azusa Pacific Cougars | 8 | 1998 | 2011 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 16 | ||
Cameron Aggies | 4 | 1974 | 1987 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 9 | ||
Dana Vikings | 1 | 1987 | 1987 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
Humboldt State Lumberjacks | 1 | 1960 | 1960 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | ||
Huron Screaming Eagles | 4 | 1986 | 2000 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 7 | ||
Iowa Wesleyan Tigers | 1 | 1991 | 1991 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
Lambuth Eagles | 8 | 1994 | 2009 | 7 | 8 | 0 | 15 | ||
Malone Pioneers | 2 | 1995 | 1998 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | ||
Oregon Tech Battling Owls | 1 | 1988 | 1988 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | ||
Robert Morris Eagles | 1 | 2016 | 2016 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
St. Benedict's Ravens | 1 | 1958 | 1958 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
Saint Joseph's Pumas | 1 | 1956 | 1956 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
3 | 1989 | 1991 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | |||
Salem International Tigers (Salem) | 3 | 1975 | 1985 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 | ||
Trinity Trolls | 1 | 1994 | 1994 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
Trinity International Trojans | 1 | 2004 | 2004 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
West Virginia Tech Golden Bears | 1 | 1989 | 1989 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
Westmar Eagles | 1 | 1987 | 1987 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
Western Washington Vikings | 4 | 1992 | 1996 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 8 | ||
Whittier Poets | 1 | 1961 | 1961 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |