History of the NJCAA

The movement to form a unique sports association dedicated to America’s two-year colleges arose in 1937 when several track and field coaches gathered in Fresno, California. A year later, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) rejected a petition from 13 two-year colleges in California to grant their teams and athletes permission to compete at the NCAA Track & Field Championships.

In the spring of 1938, following the NCAA’s rejection, those same 13 two-year colleges gathered again in Fresno to organize and form an association that would promote and supervise a national athletics program exclusively for junior and community colleges and the rest is history.

On May 14, 1938, the first constitution of the National Junior College Athletic Association was accepted by its charter members and the organization held its first national championship event a year later in May 1939. 

The NJCAA has played a vital role in collegiate athletics for the past eight decades and continues to be the leader in championing academic and athletic opportunities for student-athletes. This section of the association’s website is dedicated to celebrating the NJCAA’s rich history and tradition as the national governing body of two-year college athletics.

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Mission

It is the mission of the NJCAA to foster a national program of athletic participation in an environment that supports equitable opportunities consistent with the educational objectives of member colleges.

The NJCAA’s mission is to promote and foster two-year college athletics. Unlawful discrimination is incompatible with this mission and detracts from the organization’s goal of promoting healthy and fair competition. The NJCAA prohibits unlawful discrimination based on sex, race, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, religion, creed, sexual orientation, age or any other characteristic protected by applicable law in the NJCAA’s governance, programs, regulations and employment practices.

Division Scholarship Guidelines

Division I
$99.99

Colleges may grant full athletic scholarships (tuition, books, fees, room & board), up to $250 in course required supplies and transportation costs one time per academic year to and from the college by direct route. Each sport has limits on the number of scholarships that can be granted.

Division II
$99.99

Colleges may grant athletic scholarships, but scholarships are limited to tuition, books, fees and up to $250 in course required supplies. Each sport has limits on the number of scholarships that can be granted.

Division III
$99.99

Colleges are not permitted to offer any athletic scholarships.

Region Structure of the NJCAA

JUCO COLLEGE DIRECTORY

Region 1

Arizona

Region 2

Arkansas and Oklahoma

Region 3

Upper New York State

Region 4

Upper Illinois and Southern Wisconsin

Region 5

New Mexico and Western Texas

Region 6

Kansas

Region 7

Tennessee

Region 8

Florida

Region 9

Colorado east of the Continental Divide, Eastern Montana, Nebraska and Wyoming

Region 10

North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and South West Virginia

Region 11

Iowa and Northeast Nebraska

Region 12

Indiana, Lower Michigan and Ohio

Region 13

Minnesota, North Dakota, Upper Michigan Peninsula and Northern Wisconsin

Region 14

Eastern Texas and Southwestern Louisiana

Region 15

Lower New York

Region 16

Missouri

Region 17

Georgia

Region 18

Colorado west of the Continental Divide, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Western Montana and Utah

Region 19

Eastern Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey

Region 20

Maryland, Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia Panhandle

Region 21

Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island

Region 22

Alabama

Region 23

Mississippi and Louisiana

Region 24

Lower IllinoisÂ