Heart of America Athletic Conference and Urban Edge Network Launch “Clash of the Week”

The Heart of America Athletic Conference (The HEART), recognized as one of the NAIA's power conferences, in partnership with the Urban Edge Network (UEN), is proud to launch "Clash of the Week" — a dynamic, one-hour national preview show that will spotlight the Heart of America's featured football matchup each week while also covering marquee NAIA games across the country.

Hosted by Victory Sports Network's Jason Donnelly and Corey Thorpe of NAIA FBall, the show will air every Saturday at 10:00 AM CT on the UEN Network. Each broadcast will spotlight the week's marquee NAIA games while featuring exclusive interviews with athletic directors, presidents, the conference officer, alumni and key influencers. Importantly, the show will broadcast live from a Heart of America Conference campus each week, aligning with the conference's featured game — designated as that week's "Clash of the Week."

Week 0 kicks off with a nationally significant matchup in Atchison, Kansas, as the Morningside College Mustangs of the Great Plains Athletic Conference take on the Benedictine College Ravens of the Heart of America — a clash between two NAIA powerhouses that will set the tone for the season. Week 1 shifts to Des Moines, Iowa, where Benedictine College faces Grand View University in a marquee battle of top-ranked programs both nationally and within The HEART. Grand View is the defending national champion and Benedictine was a national semifinalist.

While the show takes a national lens, it will provide intentional focus on The HEART, giving fans unprecedented access to stories, personalities, and highlights from each campus host and across the league.

"At Urban Edge Network, innovation starts with how we tell the stories that often go unseen. We go beyond the game to showcase the culture, the people, and the behind-the-scenes moments that make these programs special. By pairing that storytelling with on-site activations and experiences that brands love, we're building a powerful bridge between underserved markets and the national stage. This is how we create lasting value for our partners and meaningful impact for our communities." — Hardy Pelt, CEO, Urban Edge Network

Heart of America Commissioner Nik Rule echoed that sentiment:

"The HEART is proud to be at the center of this groundbreaking initiative," Rule said. "'Clash of the Week' gives us an incredible opportunity to tell our story, highlight our student-athletes, and elevate the national profile of NAIA athletics. UEN's vision aligns perfectly with our commitment to innovation, access, and growing the game."

The UEN Network will serve as the exclusive home for "Clash of the Week", providing fans across the country with free access to the show and the featured games via its digital platform.

For full schedule details, game streams, and access to the UEN Heart of America channel, visit: https://www.urbanedgenetwork.net/?school=heart-of-america-athletic-conference