Kristian Ferrell
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has held the men's basketball national championship tournament annually since 1937, with the exception of 1944 and 2020. The tournament was established by James Naismith to crown a national champion for smaller colleges and universities. The tournament has been held in Kansas City, Missouri, every year since it began, except from 1994 to 2001, when it was played in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In 2020, the tournament was held at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The 2025 NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship was held at the Municipal Auditorium in Downtown Kansas City, Missouri, where the College of Idaho claimed the Red Banner.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 2025 |
| Dates | March 20-25, 2025 |
| Location | Municipal Auditorium, Kansas City, Missouri, USA |
| Number of Teams | 64 |
| First & Second Round Dates | March 14-15, 2025 |
| First & Second Round Locations | Various Campus Sites |
| Reigning Champions | College of Idaho |
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What You'll Learn
The 2025 tournament was held in Kansas City, Missouri
The 2025 NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship tournament was held in Kansas City, Missouri, from March 20 to March 25. The tournament has been held annually since 1937 by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics to determine the national champion of men's college basketball among its members in the United States and Canada. The 2025 tournament was the 87th annual championship and featured 64 teams, with the first two rounds played at 16 separate sites. The 16 winning teams from these sites then advanced to Kansas City, where the final rounds were played at the Municipal Auditorium in downtown Kansas City.
Kansas City has a strong connection to the NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship, having hosted the tournament almost every year since its inception. From 1992 to 2020, the NAIA sponsored two championships: one for Division I members, which was consistently held in Kansas City, and another for Division II members, which moved locations several times. The Municipal Auditorium in downtown Kansas City, with its approximately 40,000 available parking spaces, provides a convenient and well-equipped venue for the tournament.
The 2025 tournament saw intense competition, with the College of Idaho claiming the Red Banner and their second NAIA national title. Samaje Morgan, with 28 points, and Dougie Peoples, with 21 points, led the Yotes to a decisive 93-65 victory over Oklahoma Wesleyan University. Dylan Phillip of Oklahoma Wesleyan University also stood out, scoring a game-high 24 points and draining three 3-pointers in an 84-78 upset win over Freed-Hardeman University (Tenn.).
The NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship is a prestigious event that has a rich history. In 1947, Coach John Wooden of Indiana State refused to participate because his only black player, Clarence J. Walker, was prohibited from playing. The following year, thanks to the efforts of Manhattan and Harry Hansel, Walker became the first African-American student-athlete to compete in the tournament, helping the Sycamores finish as the national finalist.
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The Municipal Auditorium is the usual venue
The Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri, is the usual venue for the NAIA Men's Basketball Tournament. The tournament has been held annually since 1937 by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics to determine the national champion of men's college basketball among its members in the United States and Canada.
The Municipal Auditorium first hosted the tournament from 1937 to 1943, and then again from 1945 to 1974. After a long stint at the Kemper Arena in Kansas City from 1975 to 1993, the tournament returned to the Municipal Auditorium in 2002 and has been held there ever since. The only exceptions were in 2020 when the tournament was not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and from 1994 to 2001 when it was played in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The Municipal Auditorium is a fitting venue for the tournament, with a rich history dating back to its first opening in 1909. The building was designed by architects George Kessler and Ernest Crosbie, and construction cost $500,000. It has undergone several renovations over the years, including a $9 million renovation in 1977 and a $35 million expansion in 1997. The auditorium has a seating capacity of 10,700 for basketball games and is located in the heart of Downtown Kansas City.
The venue has played host to numerous other sporting events and concerts over the years, including the Big Eight Basketball Tournament, the NBA All-Star Game, and the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship. It is also within walking distance of many popular attractions, such as the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the College Basketball Experience and Hall of Fame, which teams often visit during the tournament.
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The tournament has been held annually since 1937
The NAIA Men's Basketball Championship has a long history, with the tournament being held annually since 1937 by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. The tournament was established by James Naismith to crown a national champion for smaller colleges and universities. It has been held every year since, except for 1944 due to World War II and 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The first NAIA Men's Basketball Championship took place at the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri, and this venue hosted the tournament from 1937 to 1943. There was no tournament in 1944 due to World War II. From 1945 to 1974, the tournament returned to the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri. In 1975, the tournament moved to Kemper Arena, also in Kansas City, where it remained until 1993.
From 1994 to 1998, the tournament was held at the Mabee Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In 1999, it was held at the Donald W. Reynolds Center in Tulsa, and from 2000 to 2001, it took place at the Tulsa Convention Center. In 2002, the tournament returned to Kansas City, with the Municipal Auditorium once again hosting the event until at least 2024.
The tournament has a rich history of memorable moments and milestones. One notable incident occurred in 1947 when Coach John Wooden of Indiana State refused an invitation to the tournament because his team included Clarence J. Walker, an African-American player. At that time, the NAIA had a rule prohibiting black players from participating. However, in 1948, Coach Wooden successfully brought Walker to the tournament, making him the first African-American student-athlete to compete in the NAIA tournament.
The NAIA Men's Basketball Championship has continued to evolve and adapt over the years. Since 2022, the tournament has featured 64 teams, with the first rounds played at sixteen regional sites. The winners of these regional competitions then advance to the final venue. The tournament is a highly anticipated event in the world of small college athletics, with teams vying for the coveted national championship title.
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The 2020 tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) men's basketball national championship is held annually to determine the national champion of men's college basketball among its members in the United States and Canada. The tournament was established by James Naismith to crown a national champion for smaller colleges and universities and has been held every year since, except for 1944, due to World War II, and 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused unprecedented disruptions to college sports in the 2019-2020 season, leading to the cancellation of the 2020 NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship. This marked the first time since World War II that the tournament was not held. The decision to cancel the tournament was made to prioritize the health and safety of the athletes, coaches, staff, and fans.
The pandemic's impact on college athletics extended beyond the cancellation of tournaments. The 2020-2021 season saw many athletes gain an extra year of eligibility as a result of the pandemic, with some players returning for a fifth year. This led to older and more experienced players competing in the 2021-2022 season, which some have said brought college basketball "back to life."
The pandemic also brought about changes in the format and structure of the NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship. The number of teams participating in the tournament was reduced from 64 to 48 for the 2021 tournament, with adjustments made to the schedule to allow for COVID-19 evaluations and protocols. The tournament returned to its regular format with 64 teams in 2022.
The cancellation of the 2020 NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship was a difficult but necessary decision to ensure the well-being of all involved. The tournament has since resumed, with adjustments and safety measures implemented to navigate the challenges posed by the pandemic.
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The tournament features 64 teams
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) holds an annual men's basketball tournament to determine the national champion of men's college basketball among its members in the United States and Canada. The tournament features 64 teams, with the first two rounds played at 16 separate regional sites. The winners of these regional competitions then advance to the final venue to compete for the championship title.
The tournament was established by James Naismith to crown a national champion for smaller colleges and universities. It has been held annually since 1937, except for 1944 due to World War II and 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. From 1992 to 2020, the NAIA sponsored two separate championships for its Division I and Division II members. The Division I tournament was consistently held in Kansas City, Missouri, while the Division II tournament changed locations over the years.
In 2018, the NAIA announced a merger of the D-I and D-II tournaments, resulting in a new format for the 2021 tournament. Under this new format, both the men's and women's tournaments feature 64 teams each. The first and second rounds are hosted by 16 different sites, and only the winners from these sites progress to the final venue. This format ensures that a larger number of teams have the opportunity to participate in the initial rounds, creating a more inclusive and competitive environment.
The 2025 NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship was held in Kansas City, Missouri, at the Municipal Auditorium, marking a return to the city after a brief hiatus. Kansas City has a rich history of hosting the tournament, having served as the venue for the majority of the years since the tournament's inception. The Municipal Auditorium provides a central location for the competing teams and their supporters, offering a vibrant atmosphere for the intense basketball action that unfolds on the court.
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Frequently asked questions
The tournament is mostly played at the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri.
The tournament has been held annually since 1937, except in 1944 due to World War II and in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since 2022, the tournament has featured 64 teams, with teams beginning play at one of sixteen regional sites.
