Athletics
IU–Kokomo teams, nicknamed athletically as the Cougars, are part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing as an Independent of the Association of Independent Institutions (AII). Men's sports include basketball (2011-12) and cross country (2012-13); while women's sports include cross country (2012-13) and volleyball (2011-12) .
IU–Kokomo was one of four institutions to become a member of the NAIA in April 2012. There is no conference affiliation at this time. To remain a member of the NAIA, IU–Kokomo must have six varsity sports within four years. So far, IU–Kokomo has a total of four sports; men's basketball, women's volleyball, and men's and women's cross country.
The university received a generous donation in January 2012 from the Cole family of Logansport, Indiana, owners of Cole Hardwood. The family gave a $1.25 million cash gift to IU Kokomo, which is the largest cash gift in campus history. The gift will go toward the campus' new wellness and fitness center, which will be located underneath the library in the Kelley Student Center. (2012) On June 22, 2012, the Indiana University Board of Trustees approved the official name of the Wellness and Fitness center to be the "Milt and Jean Cole Family Wellness and Fitness Center." The name honors the Cole family for their donation in January. The facility is slated to open in August 2013 and will contain exercise and weight machines, a running track, multipurpose rooms, locker rooms, a classroom, offices, a reception area, and more. (2012)
In August, IU–Kokomo announced the addition of cheerleading on campus as a club sport. Cheerleading will not be a competitive sport, a part of the NAIA, or considered one of the six varsity sports needed to maintain NAIA membership. (2012)
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