ACCA/NCCAA NIL Deals: How Fans Support Christian College Athletes

The Association of Christian College Athletics (ACCA) and the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) represent faith-based athletic excellence across the United States. From Trinity Bible College’s championship programs to Ozark Christian’s ministerial mission, Christian college athletics blend spiritual formation with competitive sportsmanship. Here’s how fans can support Christian college athletes through NIL platforms like RallyFuel.

Why Christian College Athletics Matter in NIL

Christian college athletics have become a unique NIL environment for important reasons. Before we explore the specific factors, let’s consider why NIL is important for these athletes.

• Mission-Driven Athletics: NCCAA institutions believe “the person is more important than the program and the process is as vital as the performance.” Athletics serve as a laboratory for character development and spiritual formation.
• NCCAA Leadership: The National Christian College Athletic Association represents over 100 Christ-centered colleges across the United States and Canada and hosts 23 national championships annually.
• Athletic Solutions Partnership: The NCCAA announced a three-year preferred vendor relationship with Athletic Solutions in early 2026, providing “NIL Locker Room” e-commerce storefronts to all member institutions.
• Two-Division Structure: NCCAA Division I includes institutions offering athletic scholarships; Division II is reserved for Bible colleges that do not offer athletic financial aid, ensuring competitive parity.
• NIL as Professional Development: Athletic directors like John Shackelford (Sewanee) position NIL as a “networking tool” for internships and career development—extending the educational mission beyond the playing field.
• ACCA Transition: The Association of Christian College Athletics (founded in 1983 as NBCAA) entered administrative decline in 2025, with most members migrating to the NCCAA or USCAA for more robust support.

The result: Christian college athletes engage faith-based communities nationwide, and NIL support connects these passionate fanbases directly with their student-athletes.

ACCA/NCCAA NIL by School

NIL activity spans Christian college programs nationwide:

Featured NCCAA Institutions

• Trinity Bible College (Lions): Ellendale, North Dakota. Assemblies of God-affiliated. 2024 ACCA women’s basketball national champions. Active NIL Club for men’s basketball. Covenant community with strong spiritual standards.
• Ozark Christian College (Ambassadors): Joplin, Missouri. Primary host for ACCA/NCCAA events. Dual affiliation with NCCAA and the Midwest Christian College Conference. Programs in basketball, soccer, cross country, and volleyball. Active NIL Club.
• Kansas Christian College (Falcons): Overland Park, Kansas. Church of God (Holiness) affiliated. Early NIL adopter with the Clay Target team NIL Club. Competes as an NCCAA Division I independent.
• Manhattan Christian College (Thunder), Manhattan, KS: Athletic Solutions NIL storefront launched in 2024. E-commerce platform empowers athletes on and off the field.
• College of the Ozarks (Bobcats): Point Lookout, Missouri. “Hard Work U” with a unique work-study model. Men’s Basketball NIL Club is active. NCCAA Division I member.
• Trinity Christian College (Trolls), Palos Heights, IL: Opendorse partnership. Chicago metro market access. NCCAA and CCAC affiliations.

Additional NCCAA Members with NIL Infrastructure

• Barclay College (Bears), Haviland, KS: Friends (Quaker) affiliated. Developing NIL opportunities.
• Central Christian College (Tigers): McPherson, Kansas. Free Methodist is affiliated with the regional fanbase.
• Emmaus Bible College (Eagles): Dubuque, Iowa. Plymouth Brethren is affiliated with competitive programs.
• Oak Hills Christian College (Wolfpack), Bemidji, MN: Developing NIL infrastructure. Regional community support.
• Union College (Bulldogs): Lincoln, Nebraska. Seventh-day Adventist-affiliated. USCAA and NCCAA dual memberRallyFuel features verified NCCAA athletes for direct fan support.

NIL Beyond Basketball

Christian college athletics excel in NIL across multiple sports:

• Men’s Basketball: Primary visibility driver for most Christian colleges. Active NIL Clubs at Trinity Bible, Ozark Christian, and College of the Ozarks.
• Women’s Basketball: Strong programs with 2024 ACCA national champion Trinity Bible Lady Lions leading the way.
• Soccer: Growing sport across NCCAA with competitive men’s and women’s programs and developing NIL infrastructure.
• Cross Country: NCCAA National Championships draw programs from across the country. Individual athlete NIL opportunities through merchandise and social media.
• Volleyball: Competitive programs at Ozark Christian and other institutions with regional community engagement.
• Clay Target/Shooting Sports: Kansas Christian College’s Clay Target team has an active NIL Club, demonstrating the viability of non-traditional sports in the Christian college NIL eco. Platforms like RallyFuel support every Christian college sport. Football.

How Fans Can Support Athletes

Christian college fans can fuel current roster athletes through RallyFuel in a few simple steps:

1. Create an account on RallyFuel.com or the mobile app.
2. Select your Christian college affiliation.
3. Browse verified athletes currently on your program’s roster.
4. Fuel athletes across any sport
5. Track your support through your fan dashboard.

How It Works

When you purchase Fan Fuel, you’re purchasing Conditional NIL Engagement Rights (CNERs). If conditions are met, RallyFuel or its affiliate offers an NIL Agreement to the athlete. If conditions aren’t met—for example, if an athlete transfers—you receive an automatic refund.

Additional Support Channels

• NIL Clubs (YOKE Platform): Subscribe to team-specific fan communities with monthly fees. Proceeds split equally among participating athletes—consistent with Christian communal values.
• NIL Locker Room (Athletic Solutions): Purchase athlete-branded merchandise through individual online storefronts. Athletes receive a revenue share from each sale.
• Local Church & Community Partnerships: Many Christian college athletes partner with local churches, Christian bookstores, and faith-based businesses for authentic endorsements.
• Conditional Protection: RallyFuel’s conditional model protects Fan Fuel with automatic refunds if athletes transfer or conditions aren’t met.

Important: Fan support through RallyFuel is voluntary and conditional. Fuel purchases are not charitable donations. RallyFuel is not a guarantor that any athlete will accept an NIL Agreement. Purchasing Fan Fuel does not guarantee athletic performance, playing time, or any specific outcome.

Faith-Based NIL Compliance

Christian colleges enforce unique moral and ethical standards for NIL activity:

Prohibited Partnership Categories (“Sin Industry” Restrictions)

• Alcohol and tobacco manufacturers
• Gambling and sports wagering entities
• Adult entertainment providers
• Banned substances as defined by NCCAA

“Spiritually Coherent” Branding

Research shows Christian athletes face unique challenges constructing brand narratives that are “spiritually coherent.” High-profile examples like Oscar Tshiebwe demonstrate alignment of NIL with Christian values through public testimony and service-oriented marketing. For athletes at NCCAA schools, NIL activity is often localized, focusing on community service, local business endorsements, and an authentic social media presence.

Disclosure Requirements

• Athletes must disclose NIL contracts to the Athletic Director for approval.
• Deals over $600 must be reported for tax compliance.
• Use of school logos requires advance written permission.
• NIL prohibited during official team activities

The NIL Locker Room Model

The NCCAA’s partnership with Athletic Solutions provides a streamlined NIL infrastructure:

How It Works: Athletes opt in to receive individual online storefronts

• Athletic Solutions provides e-commerce technology and fulfillment.
• Fans purchase officially licensed merchandise featuring the athlete’s name and number.
• Revenue share is distributed directly to the athlete.

Benefits for Small Colleges

Small Christian colleges lack administrative staff to manage individual NIL deals. The centralized NCCAA partnership provides every member school with an NIL solution that would be impossible for institutions like Oak Hills Christian College or Union College to develop independently. This “plug-and-play” model allows Bible colleges to focus on their ministerial mission while still offering modern NIL opportunities to student-athletes.

If you’re ready to get involved, here are the next steps in supporting Christian college athletes.

Explore verified NCCAA athletes on RallyFuel, subscribe to NIL Clubs, or purchase athlete merchandise through Athletic Solutions storefronts. Your support helps student-athletes pursue both athletic excellence and spiritual formation.

Name, Image, and Likeness plays an increasing role in college sports, and understanding how it works often requires more than individual articles or news updates.

RallyFuel is a platform focused on NIL-related topics across college athletics. It brings together information on athletes, NIL activity, and the broader structure of modern college sports, helping readers explore the topic in greater depth.

Learn More About the NIL Landscape

Name, Image, and Likeness plays an increasing role in college sports, and understanding how it works often requires more than individual articles or news updates.

RallyFuel is a platform focused on NIL-related topics across college athletics. It brings together information about athletes, NIL activity, and the broader structure behind modern college sports, helping readers explore the topic in more depth.

Visit RallyFuel

Frequently Asked Questions

How can Christian college fans support athletes through NIL?

Fans can fuel athletes directly through RallyFuel by creating an account, selecting their school affiliation, and browsing verified athletes. The conditional model provides automatic refunds if athletes transfer or if conditions aren’t met. Additionally, fans can subscribe to NIL Clubs (via YOKE), purchase merchandise through Athletic Solutions NIL Locker Rooms, or engage with local faith-based business partnerships.

What is the difference between the ACCA and NCCAA?

The ACCA (Association of Christian College Athletics, founded in 1983) focused on the smallest Bible colleges. By 2025, the ACCA entered a period of administrative decline. The NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association, founded 1968) is larger, representing over 100 institutions, and offers robust administrative support, including the Athletic Solutions NIL partnership. Most former ACCA members have migrated to the NCCAA.

Why is NIL important for Christian college athletes?

NIL creates meaningful opportunities for Christian college athletes, many of whom receive no athletic scholarships (especially in NCCAA Division II). An extra $50-$100/month can cover incidental expenses like food, gas, and books. Christian institutions also frame NIL as professional development and networking—extending the educational mission beyond athletics.

Are there restrictions on NIL partnerships at Christian colleges?

Yes. Most faith-based institutions prohibit partnerships with “sin industries” including alcohol, tobacco, gambling, and adult entertainment. Athletes must disclose contracts to their Athletic Director and obtain written permission to use school logos. These policies align NIL activity with institutional Christian values.

What happens if an athlete I supported transfers?

If an athlete transfers or selects a different school during the conditional period, you receive an automatic refund to your original payment method. No manual request is required.

What is the NIL Locker Room?

The NIL Locker Room is an e-commerce storefront provided through the NCCAA’s partnership with Athletic Solutions. Athletes opt-in to receive personalized online stores where fans can purchase officially licensed merchandise. A portion of each sale goes directly to the athlete. Schools like Manhattan Christian College launched storefronts in late 2024.

Can international students at Christian colleges participate in NIL?

International students on F-1 visas face significant restrictions. As of 2025, the Department of Homeland Security has not provided a clear exemption for NIL activity. International student-athletes are generally advised to avoid NIL compensation while in the U.S., as it could jeopardize their immigration status.

Which sports have NIL opportunities at Christian colleges?

NIL opportunities exist across all NCCAA sports, including basketball, soccer, volleyball, cross country, and even non-traditional sports like clay target shooting (Kansas Christian College). The Athletic Solutions partnership provides NIL Locker Room access to athletes in every sport.