Avila University Athletic Scholarships
Avila University is a private Catholic University sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. It is a value-based co-educational learning community that offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs in liberal arts, sciences, business and education. Avila has over 1,800 students and 184 faculty members, 75% with highest degree in their respective fields. Faculty to student ratio is 1:14.
The 50-acre Avila campus on Wornall Road, Kansas City, Missouri is just minutes away from an interstate highway. There are 11 buildings that include classroom facilities, residence halls, library, theater, chapel, and sports complex for soccer, baseball, softball and football.
Avila University is ranked #102, Regional Universities (Midwest) by the U.S. News & World Report 2014. Avila is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association. Avila’s School of Business was accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE). It also received accreditations from the Missouri State Board of Nursing (MSBN) in 1948, the National League of Nursing (NLN) in 1966 and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) in 2000. The University’s programs are also accredited by different professional organizations.
Athletics Department of Avila University
Avila University’s Athletics and Recreation Department take charge of developing sports and recreational programs that give students opportunities to participate in a variety of competitive sports. The director, coaches and staff of the athletic and recreation department handle the recruitment of student athletes, promote the University’s athletic and recreation programs, plan and execute competitive events, and manage the University’s athletic facilities and equipment.
Avila’s excellent athletic and recreational facilities are open to students as well as to faculty and staff. The Thomas R. Zarda Family Athletic Complex houses a multi-purpose turfed field for football, baseball, soccer and softball, and for recreational activities. The Mabee Fieldhouse, on the other hand, includes a full-size basketball court, dance room, weight room, athletic offices and men’s and women’s locker rooms. The Pavilion includes a practice court for volleyball and basketball, and a batting cage area with retractable wall.
Athletics Programs of Avila University
Athletics is alive and kicking at Avila. With such a small population, almost all students at Avila are either engaged in some kind of sport or part of a support team, or both. Thirty-eight percent of male and 12% of female students play varsity sports.
The University is affiliated with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Division I and fields 12 varsity teams in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC). The University’s men’s varsity sports cover football, basketball, baseball, soccer, golf, and cross country, while the women’s sports include volleyball, basketball, softball, golf, soccer and cross country. The spirit teams include athletic bands, girls’ dance team, and cheer team.
Official Sports Team: Eagles
The Avila Eagles have had their winning moments in varsity sports since 1998: MCAC regular season conference championship, Coach of the Year, MCAC Player of the Year; 2-time regular season HAAC title, and Conference Tournament (baseball team). HAAC tourney championship, 2 all-conference awards and 4 all-conference honors (women’s basketball); 2 all-conference awards (men’s basketball); 2nd in HAAC (golf team); all-HAAC award (baseball); HAAC pitcher of the year; and 3rd at the HAAC meet; plus other individual awards.
Even the spirit teams had their share of awards: the Glitter Girls Dance Team won six HAC championships in the spirit squad (2003), dance (2002, 2004, 2006) and hip-hop (2005, 2006, 2009), and in UDA CNC (2005); while the Avila Cheer Team took 1stplace in HAC all-girl spirit squad conference (2008), HAAC all-girl cheer (2010) and the UCA CNC national championships (2013).
Guide to Athletic Scholarships for Avila University
Avila University does not offer sport-specific scholarships. However, the University awards performance grants in varying amounts to students with talents and interest in athletics, performance art, communication arts and campus ministry.
Merit-based scholarships are given to full-time first-year students based on high school GPA and SAT/ACT and those who successfully completed the A+ Program, and need-based financial aid to transfer students, students who are related to Avila alumni, and those who filed the FAFSA. The amount of financial aid varies and is based on available funding. Federal and private loans are likewise available. Federal work-study and Avila Work Program, on the other hand, provide part-time job opportunities for students to help defray the costs of education.