SALEM, WV (September 28, 2026) – As a component of Salem University’s announcement to reclassify to NAIA and the River States Conference, Collegiate Consulting completed a divisional feasibility study considering classification options and opportunities for its intercollegiate athletic department.
Deliverables of the study included conference membership options; overall divisional landscape; operating budget and scholarship benchmarking; facility assessment; and competitiveness. In addition, Collegiate Consulting provided rules, requirements, and protocol for reclassification.
Collegiate Consulting provided a SWOT Analysis of all options for the athletic program, as well as financial projections. The final report was delivered to Salem in May 2026 for their review and consideration.
Salem University is a private institution founded in 1888. Located in Salem, WV. Salem boasts a student population of 2,069. The intercollegiate athletics department sponsors 15 sports and had been a member of NCAA Division II since 2016. Salem will begin its NAIA reclassification process starting in the 2027-28 athletic year.
In the past 12 months, Collegiate Consulting has completed more than a dozen divisional and/or sports study across Division I, II and III.