The Tigers men’s basketball team is a member of the NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association) competing in the Southwest Region. The Tigers play a wide array of teams including NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association), NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics), and the ACCA (Association of Christian College Athletics), as well as roughly 20 games against other NCCAA DII opponents. The Tigers men’s basketball team is led by Coach Mo Capaci. Coach Capaci had been with Champion in many roles, starting as a player, moving to assistant, and now is leading the way. He is also the Department Head for the Sports Management Program.
In its short history, the Champion Tigers basketball team has made fourteen ACCA National Tournament appearances. They have won three ACCA National Championships in 2007, 2009, and 2010. Champion has produced one ACCA Player of the year, two ACCA tournament MVPs, five different All-Tournament team players, five ACCA All-Americans, and over twenty different ACCA Academic All-Americans.
The Tigers fairly new women's basketball team is also now a member of the NCCAA DII, competing in the Southwest region. They are led by De'Anthony Ellison. Coach Ellison was brought in to start the women's basketball program just 3 short years ago, beginning the 2019-20 season. Head Coach De'Anthony Ellison has put the new and young women's program on his back. He has built an ongoing successful program in a short duration while leading the Athletic Department as the Athletic Director, and teaching classes at the college as well. Coach Ellison and the Lady Tigers have seen much success in their 3 short years as a program setting multiple school records, winning multiple championship titles, and much more.
Within the 1st year of the program under the leadership of "Coach Dee," the Lady Tigers achieved 2nd Place in both the Southwest Region Tournament and the ACCA National Tournament, and qualified for the NCCAA DII National Tournament (canceled due to covid) at their 1st appearances. In the 2nd season, Coach Dee and the Lady Tigers placed 3rd in the Southwest Region Tournament, placed 2nd in the ACCA National Tournament, won the NCCAA DII National Championship after a consecutive appearance, and was honored with a proclamation of "Lady Tiger Day" at home in Hot Springs, AR. Wrapping up the 3rd season, Coach Ellison led Champion's Lady Tigers to another National Championship title: ACCA, a Southwest Region Championship title, and with another consecutive appearance- placed 3rd in the NCCAA DII National Championship. Coach Ellison has also produced numerous individual awards: All-American and All-Region, tournament MVPs within the Southwest Region, ACCA, and the NCCAA DII Nationals, Scholar Athletes, and more. Coach Ellison was also awarded Regional Coach of the Year in 2022.
Within the NCCAA, the Tigers may participate in the postseason tournament of a chance at a National Championship. Eligibility is based on the win/loss record and strength of schedule. For more information about the end-of-the-year tournament, season stats, and more, go to the NCCAA web site.