National Consortium for Academics and Sports

The National Consortium for Academics and Sports (NCAS) is an ever-growing organization of colleges and universities. The NCAS evolved in response to the need to “keep the student in the student-athlete.” The NCAS was established in 1985 by Richard Lapchick at the Center for the Study of Sports in Society at Northeastern University. The NCAS National Office was relocated to Orlando, FL on the campus of the University of Central Florida in 2001.

The mission of the NCAS is to “create a better society by focusing on educational attainment and using the power and appeal of sport to positively affect social change.” Since its inception, NCAS member institutions have proved to be effective advocates for balancing academics and athletics. By joining the NCAS, a college or university agrees to bring back, tuition free, their own former student-athletes who competed in revenue and non-revenue producing sports and were unable to complete their degree requirements. In exchange, these former student-athletes agree to participate in school outreach and community service programs addressing social issues of America’s youth.

NCAS members are entitled to a variety of programs and services offered at exclusively discounted rates that center around leadership, education and community service. NCAS programs focus on topics ranging from diversity management training, gender violence prevention, alcohol abuse education, outreach, degree completion, and student-athlete recognition.

The NCAS is constantly looking to grow and expand when it comes to programs offered to its members. In addition, several national programs approach the NCAS looking to partner because of its great membership of colleges and universities across the country.

The NCAS provides an Annual Conference for continuing education purposes that provides members with information via speakers, roundtable discussions and interactive programming dealing with the pertinent social issues they face in their athletic departments and communities each day. Panel discussions and breakout sessions take place throughout the three-day conference.

Past speakers have included Myles Brand, President, NCAA; Floyd Keith, Executive Director, Black Coaches Association; Joe Crowley, President, University of Nevada; Charlotte Westerhaus, Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion, NCAA; Bill Curry, ESPN; and Coaches Herman Boone and William Yoast, “Remember the Titans.”

The NCAS Giant Steps Awards Banquet has taken place annually since 1988. In conjunction with National STUDENT-Athlete Day, Giant Steps Awards are awarded in the categories of courageous student-athletes, coaches, civic leaders, athletic administrators, parents and teachers. Chosen by a diverse selection committee from hundreds of nominations received nationwide, these individuals exemplify the meaning of National STUDENT-Athlete Day.

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