St. Ambrose University Joins Heart of America Athletic Conference

The Catholic university in Davenport, Iowa will become the 16th member of the conference.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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The Heart of America Athletic Conference has unanimously voted to approve St. Ambrose University as a full member starting in the 2026-27 academic year. The Fighting Bees, who have competed as an affiliate member in football and men's wrestling, will bring 28 athletic programs to the conference, including eSports and lacrosse. St. Ambrose is leaving the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference, where they have competed since 2015.

Why it matters

The addition of St. Ambrose University as a full member of the Heart of America Athletic Conference expands the conference's footprint and adds a respected Catholic university with a diverse athletic program. This move strengthens the overall competitiveness and profile of the conference.

The details

Conference presidents voted unanimously on February 13th to approve St. Ambrose University as the 16th member of the Heart of America Athletic Conference. The Fighting Bees have competed as an affiliate member in football and men's wrestling for the past two seasons, and will now bring their full 28-sport athletic program to the conference starting in the 2026-27 academic year.

  • The Heart of America Athletic Conference presidents voted unanimously on February 13, 2026 to approve St. Ambrose University as a full member.
  • St. Ambrose University will join the Heart of America Athletic Conference as a full member starting in the 2026-27 academic year.

The players

Heart of America Athletic Conference

A collegiate athletic conference that fields teams in 16 sports and has member institutions across Missouri, Iowa, and Kansas.

St. Ambrose University

A Catholic university located in Davenport, Iowa that competes in 28 varsity sports and is leaving the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference to join the Heart of America Athletic Conference as a full member.

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What’s next

St. Ambrose University will officially join the Heart of America Athletic Conference and begin competing as a full member in the 2026-27 academic year.

The takeaway

The addition of St. Ambrose University as a full member of the Heart of America Athletic Conference represents an important expansion and strengthening of the conference, bringing in a respected Catholic university with a diverse athletic program.