The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), founded in 1938, is the governing association of community college, state college and junior college athletics throughout the United States. Currently the NJCAA holds 24 separate regions across 24 states and is divided into 3 divisions.
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| Abbreviation | NJCAA |
|---|---|
| Formation | May 14, 1938; 86 years ago (May 14, 1938) (as "Intercollegiate Athletic Association") |
| Legal status | Association |
| Headquarters | Charlotte, North Carolina |
Region served | United States |
Membership | 525 schools in 24 regions |
Official language | English |
Executive Director | Christopher Parker |
Main organ | Board of Regents |
| Website | njcaa.org |
The idea for the NJCAA was conceived in 1937, in Fresno, California. A handful of junior college representatives met to organize an association that would promote and supervise a national program of junior college sports and activities consistent with the educational objectives of junior colleges.
A constitution was presented and adopted at the charter meeting in Fresno on May 14, 1938.
In 1949, the NJCAA was reorganized by dividing the nation into sixteen regions. The officers of the association were the president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, public relations director, and the sixteen regional vice presidents. Although the NJCAA was founded in California, it no longer operates there, having been supplanted by the unaffiliated California Community College Athletic Association.
The NJCAA only allowed male competitors until 1975, when it established a women's division following the enactment of Title IX.
Based out of Hutchinson, Kansas since 1968, the national office relocated to Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1985. Headquarters moved to Charlotte, North Carolina in 2018.
Each institution belonging to the NJCAA chooses to compete on the Division I, II or III level. Division I colleges may offer full athletic scholarships, totaling a maximum of tuition, fees, room and board, course-related books, up to $250 in course-required supplies, and transportation costs one time per academic year to and from the college by direct route. Division II colleges are limited to awarding tuition, fees, course related books, and up to $250 in course required supplies. Division III institutions may provide no athletically related financial assistance. However, NJCAA colleges that do not offer athletic aid may choose to participate at the Division I or II level if they so desire.[1]
| Years | Division |
|---|---|
| 1938–1945 | None |
| 1945–1986 | Division I |
| 1986–1991 | Division I, Division II |
| 1991– | Division I, Division II, Division III |
The NJCAA is divided into 24 different regions:[18]
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Due to the relatively small number of schools fielding teams, some football-only conferences exist. They may be home to teams from multiple regions.
There are also independent schools in regions 2 (Arkansas Baptist), 3 (upstate New York), 8 (ASA-Miami), 10 (Louisburg, N.C.), 12 (Hocking College), and 17 (Georgia Military). Onondaga Community College's football program does not compete in the NJCAA but instead competes at the club football level.
Regions 7, 9, 16, 20, 21, 22 and 24 do not have any football programs.[22]
