By Craig Chrest
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) began in 1937 with the formation of the National College Basketball Tournament. The tournament was founded by a group of local Kansas City business men and Dr. James Naismith, the creator of basketball, who wished to provide the community with an exciting opportunity to witness an amateur competition. The Tournament would also provide a way for colleges to determine a national basketball champion. At its inception, the Tournament included 8 teams, but expanded to 32 the following years. In 1940, the National Association of Intercollegiate Basketball (NAIB) was formed to manage the tournament. The NAIB began sponsoring additional sports in 1952 and became officially known as the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
Socially progressive, the NAIA made history by opening its intercollegiate postseason to African American students in 1948. In 1953, the organization invited black colleges to become members. In 1980, the organization opened itself to female athletes. More recently, however, the NAIA has shifted its focus to encourage higher level of academics in athletes. In 2008, the organization changed its structure so that athletes missed fewer classes.
Today, the NAIA is home to more than 600,000 student athletes and grants millions of dollars in student aid. The NAIA strives to find ways to enhance the student-athlete experience through promoting a philosophy that features five key values: respect, responsibility, servant leadership, sportsmanship, and integrity.
About Craig Chrest: A former professional football player, Chrest attended the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, where he played as a starting wide receiver in the NAIA Division I. Today, he runs an executive recruiting firm in Houston, Texas, The Top Gun Executive Group.
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) began in 1937 with the formation of the National College Basketball Tournament. The tournament was founded by a group of local Kansas City business men and Dr. James Naismith, the creator of basketball, who wished to provide the community with an exciting opportunity to witness an amateur competition. The Tournament would also provide a way for colleges to determine a national basketball champion. At its inception, the Tournament included 8 teams, but expanded to 32 the following years. In 1940, the National Association of Intercollegiate Basketball (NAIB) was formed to manage the tournament. The NAIB began sponsoring additional sports in 1952 and became officially known as the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
Socially progressive, the NAIA made history by opening its intercollegiate postseason to African American students in 1948. In 1953, the organization invited black colleges to become members. In 1980, the organization opened itself to female athletes. More recently, however, the NAIA has shifted its focus to encourage higher level of academics in athletes. In 2008, the organization changed its structure so that athletes missed fewer classes.
Today, the NAIA is home to more than 600,000 student athletes and grants millions of dollars in student aid. The NAIA strives to find ways to enhance the student-athlete experience through promoting a philosophy that features five key values: respect, responsibility, servant leadership, sportsmanship, and integrity.
About Craig Chrest: A former professional football player, Chrest attended the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, where he played as a starting wide receiver in the NAIA Division I. Today, he runs an executive recruiting firm in Houston, Texas, The Top Gun Executive Group.