The Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks (formerly the Crusaders) are the athletic teams that represent Northwest Nazarene University, located in Nampa, Idaho, in intercollegiate sports as a member of the Division II level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), primarily competing in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) since the 2001âÂÂ02 academic year.
The Nighthawks previously competed in the D-II Pacific West Conference (PacWest) during the 2000âÂÂ01 school year; and in the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) from 1993âÂÂ94 to 1999âÂÂ2000.
The school's main rival is the NAIA's College of Idaho, located a short distance to the west in Caldwell, Idaho.
A prominent former member of the school's athletic department is Scott Flemming, who coached IndiaâÂÂs national basketball team for several years.