Recently, the NAIA partnered with Teamworks to host a discussion on how NAIA athletic departments can leverage technology to streamline operations and build sustainable growth. For many programs, the challenges of eligibility, recruiting, and enrollment management are still handled through spreadsheets, paper forms, or siloed systems. This fragmented approach creates inefficiencies, increases compliance risk, and pulls administrators away from what matters most: supporting student-athletes.
The conversation highlighted how Compliance + Recruiting (C+R) transforms these challenges into opportunities for efficiency, transparency, and collaboration.
Recording of the full webinar
Recruiting & Enrollment
Coaching staffs often juggle spreadsheets, whiteboards, and other manual tools to track and evaluate recruits. By shifting to a centralized recruiting database, programs gain a consistent and accurate way to monitor prospects, save time on roster decisions, and foster better collaboration across admissions, compliance, and housing.
Takeaway: Customized viewsets and admissions integrations make recruiting more accurate and efficient.
Roster Management & Eligibility
Having a clear picture of rosters across all sports is critical for compliance and coordination. With C+R, administrators can view department-wide rosters in one place, streamline eligibility checks with data pulled directly from transcripts, and access consolidated profiles that include academic, athletic, and financial aid information.
Takeaway: Transparency is the game-changer; everyone works from the same, accurate picture.
Data & Reporting
Reporting often requires long hours of gathering information from multiple systems. C+R centralizes data to simplify compliance reporting (EADA, NAIA ROA, academic awards), support enrollment planning with recruiting trends and senior lists, and showcase athletics’ impact on overall student success.
Takeaway: Data isn’t just for compliance; it’s a tool to plan smarter and elevate the role of athletics on campus.
Workflows
Paper-based processes slow departments down and create room for error. With digital workflows, programs can replace forms like scholarship agreements with automated, trackable processes, cut processing time for financial aid awards, and ensure consistency across departments.
Takeaway: Moving from paper to digital reduces errors, saves time, and strengthens cross-campus collaboration.
Final Thoughts
The transition from manual, fragmented systems to a unified digital platform can feel like a big leap, but the payoff is significant. Compliance + Recruiting not only streamlines operations, it frees administrators to be more present for their student-athletes and staff. The result is more time for problem-solving, mentorship, and building the relationships that define a thriving athletic department.
For questions or interest in learning more, please reach out to Kelly Perry (Kperry@teamworks.com)