Membership
Last updated
Last updated
The National Collegiate Grappling Association was organized in 2013 to promote, support, and regulate grappling at the college and university level. The member schools give regulatory authority to the NCGA as a National Governing Body (NGB). Institutions of higher learning may apply for membership through the NCGA Board of Directors. All junior colleges, accredited trade schools, colleges, and universities, both private and public, are eligible for NCGA membership.
The President, CEO and CTO, along with appointed officers, committees organized under the purview of the NCGA Board of Directors, and the Judicial Council, function to provide the administration, regulation, and promotion of amateur grappling at the college level for all member institutions.
Membership in the NCGA is open to all accredited institutions of higher education. Member teams are generally chartered under the jurisdiction of the Athletic Department, the Sports Activity Coordinator, Sport Club department or any department granted the administrative authority by the member institution. Institutions may sponsor only one NCGA-governed grappling program during any season, unless these rules specifically provide otherwise.
Programs that are currently subject to any disciplinary actions by their host institution or association must report such discipline to their Conference Boards and the National Compliance Officer. If warranted, the Judicial Council may rule the disciplinary action by a host institution will render a team ineligible for NCGA membership.
All teams, coaches, athletes, and member institutions agree to adhere to the rules and regulations set forth herein. Any act of deceit or willful and calculated disregard of any portion of the NCGA Rules and Regulations and/or the NCGA or NCAA Codes of Conduct may result in the suspension of any NCGA member school. Any act intended to circumvent any rule or evade penalty by the NCGA may be treated as though the said rule violation occurred.
The purpose and spirit of the underlying Rules and Regulations of the National Collegiate Grappling Association may be applied with the same force and effect as the rules themselves. Member teams are advised to seek the advice and counsel of their respective Conference Boards and / or the NCGA Judicial Council should any questions regarding the existence, application, or definition of any rules or regulations arise.
The NCGA functions only as an organizational body and does not accept any liability for athletes during practice, travel, and / or competition. Athletes and Teams must be insured by the liability coverage of their respective school. Most programs are automatically covered by their officially recognized school status. All athletes are required to carry personal health or injury insurance coverage. In addition, the NCGA may choose to carry liability insurance and, at its discretion, cover member athletes and institutions.
New schools may apply for membership in the NCGA by first contacting the NCGA at 214-378-9900 or by email at Upon making initial contact with the NCGA, the Director of respective division (Men’s or Women’s), if any, or appropriate NCGA official shall send the prospective member a “New Team Application.” After the New Team Membership Application is received by the NCGA in good order, then ‘due diligence’ will be performed to verify the information and clarify any questions or concerns with the Administration of the applying institution.
Once accepted into the NCGA, new programs will be assigned to a NCGA Conference by geographical location as per Articles 5.1 and 5.2 and assessed by the respective Conference a Conference fee as per Article 7.3.
Registration with the NCGA is open from February 1st through September 15th each season. No new programs are accepted after September 15th of each season unless approved by the NCGA Board of Directors.
All actively participating member schools must renew their membership each year. The Annual Renewal Application Form is available on the NCGA website.
An annual membership fee will be due between February 1st and August 1st each season as provided on the team membership renewal form on www.thencga.org. From August 2nd to August 15th, a late fee of $50 will be assessed. From Aug 16th to September 1st, the late fee assessed will be $100. From September 2nd to September 15th, the late fee assessed will be $150. No team renewals will be accepted after September 15th each season. All Membership Dues, Late Fees, and Fines must be paid prior to the Conference Championships of each season for a team and its members to be eligible to compete in the postseason.
NCGA Minimum Membership requirements are determined by the NCGA Board of Directors and commissioned officers.
NCGA Men’s Division
NCGA Women’s Division
Men's Division
$500
$50
Women's Division
(without Men's Team)
$500
$50
Women's Division (with Men's Team)
$300
$50
After a team’s initial (referred to as provisional) year in the NCGA, they are automatically moved to full membership in their respective division provided they comply with all NCGA eligibility and competition rules as well as adhering to NCGA best practices. For Men's and Women's Programs to gain full membership they must have an NCGA-approved / accepted non-student coach providing consistency in training and leadership from year to year.
Teams that are reprimanded during a season for non-compliance with NCGA rules or those that do not have a non-student coach may be required to serve additional provisional years. Continued rule violations may result in probation and dismissal from the NCGA for a year or more. Waivers for the non-student coaches’ criteria may be granted by the conference for extraordinary circumstances such as loss of a previously registered non-student coach late in the season.
The Judicial Council may rule that teams be suspended or forfeit membership in the NCGA through serious or repeated violations of the NCGA Rules and Regulations, or automatically after two years of past due Association Membership dues.
