THE COOLEST COLLEGE FOOTBALL HELMETS IN THE NAIA

With college football kicking off on August 23rd in the divisions covered here at Balladeer’s Blog the time seemed right to present a look at the coolest football helmets in NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) football. Feel free to let me know whose helmets you feel I left out or who should have been rated higher or lower.

11. DORDT COLLEGE DEFENDERS

Location: Sioux Center, IA

Comment: The NAIA has the Defenders, the NJCAA has the Avengers and Canadian college football boasts the X-Men! Marvel Comics fans have absolutely no excuse not to get into college football.  

10. OKLAHOMA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY BISON

Location: Shawnee, OK

Comment: Now here’s a helmet that’s as grand and glorious as the mighty beast the team is named for! OBU is known for getting things done with its sports programs so even though they’re still a little new to gridiron action look for them to make noise sooner rather than later.   

9. BETHANY COLLEGE SWEDES

Location: Lindsborg, KS 

Comment: Like the Florida Gators the Bethany Swedes have one of those iconic helmets with stylish lettering and an overall eye-catching appeal. This helmet looks even better topping the Swedes’ blue jerseys and gold pants.

8. SOUTHWESTERN ASSEMBLIES OF GOD UNIVERSITY LIONS

Location: Waxahachie, TX

Comment: The Lion King has nothing on the SAGU Lion! No songs and dances needed, just some solid gridiron play and virtually incomparable integrity regarding the academic side of things. The Lions do college athletics proud! 

7. BLUEFIELD COLLEGE RAMBLIN’ RAMS 

Location: Bluefield, WV

Comment: It’s the inaugural year for this institution’s intercollegiate football team and they are debuting with panache sporting cool helmets like this. It beats the imitation NFL Rams helmets used by other college teams called Rams.

6. SOUTHERN VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY KNIGHTS

Location: Buena Vista, VA

Comment: This Mormon institution is often called “the BYU of the East” and its reputation for academics is known far and wide. There’s just something about the classic “old school” appeal of this helmet that makes you ready for gridiron action!

5. HASKELL INDIAN NATIONS UNIVERSITY INDIANS

Location: Lawrence, KS

Comment: “Hello, Mrs Cleaver!” … Had to be said. This university is known as the premier institution of higher learning for people of Native American descent. Their sports teams are always prominently featured here at Balladeer’s Blog.

4. PERU STATE BOBCATS

Location: Peru, NE

Comment: Peru, Nebraska is known as the home of the Incas and is just a half- hour drive from Machu Pichu. I’m kidding! Anyway, that helmet brings to mind the crisp, clean smell of autumn Saturdays doesn’t it?

3. UNIVERSITY OF THE CUMBERLANDS PATRIOTS

Location: Williamsburg, KY

Comment: With this new helmet the Patriots blazed their way onto this list! With the 4th of July holiday just behind us who can’t help but be impressed with this Continental Soldier logo? And note the Patriot is wearing his Game Face! 

2. MIDAMERICA NAZARENE UNIVERSITY PIONEERS

Location: Olathe, KS

Comment: The Pioneer logo is a butt-kicking cross between a western pioneer and a superhero. “It’s Pioneer Man and his sidekick Scout Boy, blazing a trail toward truth, justice and the American way!” Superman, eat your heart out!

 1. TABOR COLLEGE BLUE JAYS

Location: Hillsboro, KS

Comment: Tabor College has always stood out tall and proud even in the NAIA, which is well- known for its institutions’ commitment to academics. The Blue Jays players shine in the classroom as well as on the gridiron and wearing cool helmets is a nice bonus!

I’ll be featuring more lists of cool helmets from the other divisions of college football covered here. It’ll help us all while away the time as we wait impatiently for the season to start. 

FOR MORE COOL HELMETS CLICK HERE: https://glitternight.com/category/cool-helmets/

Helmets courtesy of The Helmet Project.