Central Baptist College has taken a major step in both athletic affiliation and perception.

The college, affiliated since 2000 with the National Christian College Athletic Association, is one of the newest member of the National Assocation for Intercollegiate Athletics.

Central Baptist College officials announced that it is one of the four newest members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.

The Mustang teams have been members of the National Christian College Athletic Association since 2008. CBC Athletic Director Lyle Middleton said the institution will have dual affiliation with the NCCAA, but the NAIA will be the primarily affiliation.

Middleton said CBC teams will complete in NAIA Division II, which is primarily for smaller colleges in men's and women's basketball. NAIA has only one division in the other eight sports offered by the college. CBC teams will compete as independents without conference affiliation for now.

The NAIA Council of Presidents voted Friday to accept CBC along with three other colleges in Illinois, North Carolina and New York as its newest members.