BOWLING GREEN, Ky. -- St. Ambrose (Iowa) has joined the Mid-South Conference as an affiliate member, MSC Commissioner Chris Wells announced today.

St. Ambrose joins the MSC in men's and women's swimming & diving and is eligible to compete in the conference championship in February 2027.

“We're excited to welcome St. Ambrose University to the Mid-South Conference as an affiliate member,” Wells said. “St. Ambrose's addition strengthens one of the best swimming & diving conferences in the NAIA.

“It was an easy decision for the MSC Council of Presidents to unanimously support the addition of St. Ambrose, given the institution’s outstanding academic and athletic reputation,” Wells added. “We are pleased to welcome their student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and fans to the Mid-South Conference.”

St. Ambrose, located in Davenport, Iowa, boasts 31 athletic programs, including men's and women's swimming & diving.

"The move to the Mid-South gives our teams a chance to compete in a conference of significance in the NAIA," St. Ambrose Director of Athletics Mike Holmes said. "We are grateful to Commissioner Wells and the conference presidents for making the opportunity possible for our student-athletes."

The St. Ambrose men's swimming & diving team finished eighth at the 2026 NAIA National Championships, while the women finished 13th.

St. Ambrose is the seventh affiliate member to join the Mid-South Conference in 2026-27. Earlier this year, Wells announced the addition of Andrew (Ga.), Defiance (Ohio), New College of Florida, Northwestern Ohio, Saint Francis (Ind.), and Wilberforce (Ohio) as affiliate members.

St. Ambrose joins Campbellsville (Ky.), Cumberlands (Ky.), Indiana Wesleyan, Lindsey Wilson (Ky.), and Midway (Ky.) in MSC men's and women's swimming & diving.

The addition brings the Mid-South Conference's membership to seven full-time members and 19 affiliate members.