National Junior College Athletic Association


The National Junior College Athletic Association, 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.

History

The idea for the NJCAA was conceived in 1937 at 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 in 1985. Headquarters moved to Charlotte, North Carolina in 2018.

Division history

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.
YearsDivision
1938–1945-
1945–1986Division I
1986–1991Division I, Division II
1991–Division I, Division II, Division III

Awards

;NJCAA Hall of Fame
;NJCAA Hall of Fame
;NJCAA Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame
;NJCAA Basketball Hall of Fame
;NJCAA Men's Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame
;NJCAA Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame
;NJCAA Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame

Conferences and regions

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, 3, 8 , 10, 12, and 17. 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.