1983 NAIA National Soccer Championships

National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) is a completely autonomous association, cur­ rently adm in iste ring programs of in te rco lleg ia te ath letics at 530 fully-accredited colleges and univer­ sities of moderate enrollment. The fundamental tenent of the NAIA is that intercollegiate ath letics is an in­ tegral part of the total educational program of the in­ stitution. This belief is strongly reflected in the govern­ ing documents, activ ities and organizational structure of the Association. HISTORY AND PURPOSE Established in 1940 as the National Association of In­ tercollegiate Basketball (NAIB), the NAIA emanated from a “ National Small College Basketball Tourna­ ment” inaugurated in 1937 in Kansas City, Missouri. The conversion of the NAIB to the NAIA came in 1952 when the organization expanded beyond just basketball and added national championship events in golf, out­ door track and field and tennis. Football, cross country, baseball and swimming were added to the champion­ ship event calendar in 1955, and wrestling (1958 ), soc­ cer (1959 ), bowling (1952-78), gymnastics (1964 ), in­ door track and field (1966 ), ice hockey (1968 ) and volleyball (1969-1980) were later additions. Of major significance to the NAIA, was the estab lish­ ment of the women’s division within the Association on August 1, 1980. The NAIA decision to offer competitive opportunities and championships in women’s ath letics was passed by the membership following two years of study and proposals by an ad hoc committee on the im­ plementation of a women’s division into the NAIA struc­ ture. Currently, the Association conducts nine cham­ pionship event programs for women in the sports of basketball, cross country, gymnastics, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, softball (fast pitch), swimming, tennis and volleyball. The initial purpose of the NAIA — to provide national championship athletic opportunities to institutions below the so-called “ major” level — has indeed been well served. The Association clearly outlines its own responsibilities and those of its members: a sound ath letics program, administered and controlled by those responsible for the administration of the institu­ tion. This means direct supervision in caliber of com­ petition, financing of the program and taking steps to assure that financial assistance is made available only through the institution and under the same general policies as aid to all students. In short, the basic pre­ mise is that the ath letics program is a basic component of the overall general educational process and not an entity apart. ADMIN ISTRAT ION The governing body of the NAIA is the National Execu­ tive Committee, composed of 10 persons elected by the membership. The Executive Committee is responsible for establishing the policies and determining the over­ all direction of the Association. The Executive Commit­ tee hires the Executive Director, who conducts the business and day-to-day operation of the National Of­ fice headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. The District is the basic unit of the NAIA. The Associ­ ation is organized into 32 geographical d istricts spread over the 50 states and a part of Canada. Each District is governed by a District Executive Committee, the chief officer of which is the District Chair. The District Ex­ ecutive Committee establishes a program of champion­ ship events in various sports and individual/team champions of those district events are qualified to compete in NAIA Area and National Championship competition. Eligibility rules within the NAIA govern all play in all sports recognized by the Association, not just post­ season play. All eligibility guidelines must be adhered to by all members, including those holding dual a ffilia ­ tion with other associations. Certification of eligibility of all NAIA student/athletes is acomplished through a network of individuals which includes the faculty athletic representative of each institution, the District Eligibility Chair and the National E ligibility Committee. MEMBERSH IP Any four-year college or university and upper level two- year institution in the United States and Canada which awards the bachelor’s degree or equivalent, may hold active NAIA membership. Active member institutions must be fu lly accredited by an appropriate accrediting agency or commission. OBL IGAT ION OF MEMBERSHIP Member institutions must conduct their intercollegiate athletic programs with the standards of the regulatory Associations in which they hold membership, and the NAIA. They must pay their annual membership dues and be in support of the policies of the NAIA. Where in­ stitutional rules and standards are stricter than those of the regulatory group or the NAIA, those rules and standards of the institution are recognized and sup­ ported by the NAIA. ATHLET I CS — EDUCAT ION FOR LEADERSHIP, CHARACTER, C I T I ZENSH I P - 7 -