National Club Football Association

The National Club Football Association (NCFA) is an association of collegiate American football teams. It is a member of CollClubSports and manages the NCFA National Championship.

National Club Football Association
Current season, competition or edition:
Current sports event 2023
SportAmerican Football
Founded2010; 13 years ago
Inaugural season2010
No. of teams18
Most recent
champion(s)
(Gordon State Highlanders; 1st title)
Most titlesCoppin State, Oakland, Ohio State
(tied with 2)
Official websitehttps://www.ncfafootball.org

NCFA teams are typically operated by student sports clubs rather than faculty, and do not formally form part of a school's intercollegiate athletic program. The clubs can be based at any post-secondary college or university provided the institution in question agrees to officially recognize football as a club sport. In contrast the Intercollegiate Club Football Federation (ICFF) recognizes, in addition to the above, student clubs without official sponsorship and independent programs that combine students at multiple schools that would otherwise be unable to play college football (the NCFA allows its members to play such independent teams but does not allow those teams to contest for the championship). A number of clubs have membership in both the ICFF and NCFA, especially in the midwest and south (only in the Northeast, where the ICFF's Yankee conference expelled several NCFA member teams in 2015, is there a major distinction between the two).

From 2012 through 2015, the NCFA National Championship Game was held at Salem Football Stadium in Salem, Virginia, which has also been the site of the NCAA Division III Football Championship. From 2016 through 2019, the NCFA National Championship Game was held at West Family Stadium on the campus of West Liberty University in Wheeling, West Virginia.

The 2020 Fall season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Active Member Schools

The organization has 18 active clubs for the 2023 season. All current members are located in the located east of the Mississippi River, primarily in the East Coast and Great Lakes regions of the United States. All but three programs are at public institutions; Loyola Chicago and Sacred Heart are private Catholic universities while Clarkson is a private nonsectarian university. [1]

InstitutionLocationFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameJoinedColors
Great Lakes - East Division
Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio 1870 Public 61,369 Buckeyes 2012    
University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 1787 Public 28,391 Panthers 2016    
University of Toledo Toledo, Ohio 1872 Public 18,319 Rockets 2021    
Wright State University Fairborn, Ohio 1964 Public 17,074 Raiders 2010    
Great Lakes - West Division
Loyola University Chicago Chicago, Illinois 1870 Private
(Catholic, Jesuit)		 16,437 Ramblers 2012    
University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee Milwaukee, Wisconsin 1956 Public 33,502 Panthers 2013    
Oakland University Auburn Hills, Michigan 1957 Public 20,519 Golden Grizzlies 2013    
Michigan State University East Lansing, Michigan 1855 Public 49,695 Spartans 2015    
North Atlantic Division
Clarkson University Potsdam, New York 1896 Private (Nonsectarian) 2,848 Golden Knights 2012    
Coppin State University Baltimore, Maryland 1900 Public 2,724 Eagles 2012    
George Mason University Fairfax, Virginia 1957 Public 35,047 Patriots 2011    
Longwood University Farmville, Virginia 1839 Public 4,470 Lancers 2010    
Sacred Heart University Fairfield, Connecticut 1963 Private
(Catholic, diocesan)		 5,974 Pioneers 2015    
South Atlantic Division
Columbus State University Columbus, Georgia 1958 Public 7,925 Cougars 2011      
Central Georgia Technical College Macon, Georgia 1962 Public
(Community/Technical)		 3,896 Titans 2022    
Gordon State College Barnesville 1872 Public 4,555 Highlanders 2021      
University of South Carolina Columbia, South Carolina 1801 Public 35,388 Gamecocks 2010    
Independent
University of Vermont Burlington, Vermont 1791 Public 12,164 Catamounts 2010    

Of the 18 active member schools for the 2023 season, six (Michigan State, Ohio State, South Carolina, Sacred Heart, Pittsburgh, Toledo) have parent NCAA programs. The remaining 12 teams operate as their schools' only active football programs, despite not being sponsored by their respective athletic departments.

    Former members

    The NCFA has 47 former, or inactive, member clubs. Several former programs moved to other collegiate football athletic organizations.

    Institution Location Founded Affiliation Enrollment Nickname Joined Left Current
    conference
    University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, Alabama 1820 Public 38,320 Crimson Tide 2013 2013 Folded
    Appalachian State University Boone, North Carolina 1899 Public 20,641 Mountaineers 2019 2019 Folded
    The Apprentice School Newport News, Virginia 1919 Private (Vocational) 725 Builders 2018 2018 USCAA
    Central Connecticut State University New Britain, Connecticut 1849 Public 9,653 Blue Devils 2015 2016 Folded
    Chattahoochee Technical College Marietta, Georgia 1963 Public 14,000 Golden Eagles 2010 2012 Folded
    Clemson University Clemson, South Carolina 1889 Public 28,466 Tigers 2010 2011 Folded
    University of Colorado Colorado Springs Colorado Springs, Colorado 1965 Public 12,753 Mountain Lions 2019 2019 Folded
    Community Christian College Georgia Norcross, GA 1994 Private (Christian) 490 Knights 2018 2018 Independent
    DePaul University Chicago, Illinois 1898 Private (Catholic) 38,320 Blue Demons 2015 2015 Folded
    Eastern Connecticut State University Willimantic, Connecticut 1889 Public 4,125 Warriors 2012 2022 Folded
    Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, Michigan 1849 Public 15,370 Eagles 2017 2019 Folded
    University of Florida Gainesville, Florida 1853 Public 56,567 Gators 2017 2018 Folded
    Florida Gulf Coast University Fort Myers, Florida 1991 Public 15,373 Eagles 2018 2019 Folded
    University of Fort Lauderdale Lauderhill, Florida 1995 Private
    (Christian, (non-denominational)    		 192 Eagles 2017 2020 NCCAA
    University of Hartford Hartford, Connecticut 1957 Private (Nonsectarian) 5,740 Hawks 2015 2018 Folded
    Holland College Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada 1969 Public 2,600 Holland Hurricanes 2013 2013 Atlantic Football League
    Johnson & Wales University Providence, Rhode Island 1914 Private (Nonsectarian) 5,676 Wildcats 2018 2018 Folded
    Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, Georgia 1963 Public 41,181 Owls 2012 2016 Folded
    Lander University Greenwood, South Carolina 1872 Public 4,167 Bearcats 2017 2017 Folded
    Macon State College Macon, Georgia 1965 Public N/A Blue Storm 2012 2013 Merged with Middle Georgia College to become MGSU
    University of Maine Orono, Maine 1865 Public 11,561 Black Bears 2010 2012 Folded
    University of Maryland Eastern Shore Princess Anne, Maryland 1886 Public 2,333 Shore Hawks 2012 2016 Folded
    Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, Colorado 1965 Public 15,682 Roadrunners 2016 2016 Folded
    Miami University Oxford, Ohio 1809 Public 24,377 RedHawks 2011 2022 Folded
    University of Michigan–Flint Flint, Michigan 1956 Public 6,418 Wolverines 2010
    2013    		 2010
    2017    		 Folded
    Middle Georgia State University Macon, Georgia 1884 Public 7,885 Knights 2012 2020 Folded
    University of New Orleans New Orleans, Louisiana 1956 Public 8,231 Privateers 2010 2012 Folded
    University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, North Carolina 1789 Public 20,029 Tar Heels 2010 2011 Folded
    University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, North Carolina 1891 Public 19,764 Spartans 2016 2022 Folded
    Old Dominion University Norfolk, Virginia 1930 Public 24,286 Monarchs 2012 2013 Folded
    Onondaga Community College Syracuse, New York 1961 Public 7,320 Lazers 2012 2013 Folded
    Orangeburg–Calhoun Technical College Orangeburg, South Carolina 1968 Public 2,100 Wildcats 2011 2015 Folded
    Radford University Radford, Virginia 1910 Public 10,700 Highlanders 2010 2015 Folded
    University of Rio Grande Rio Grande, Ohio 1876 Private (Nonsectarian) 2,300 Red Storm 2010 2010 Folded
    Robert Morris University - Peoria Peoria, Illinois 2000 Private (Nonsectarian) N/A Eagles 2013 2016 Folded, University later closed in 2021
    Rollins College Winter Park, Florida 1885 Private (Nonsectarian) 3,127 Tars 2011
    2016    		 2013
    2018    		 Folded
    Roosevelt University Chicago, Illinois 1872 Private (Nonsectarian) 3,725 Lakers 2018 2018 Folded
    Shepherd Bible College 2012 2012 College Closed
    University of South Alabama Mobile, Alabama 1963 Public 15,193 Jaguars 2010 2010 Folded
    Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Edwardsville, Illinois 1957 Public 12,860 Cougars 2011 2019 Folded
    University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, Texas 1895 Public 40,990 Mavericks 2010 2010 Folded
    Texas State University San Marcos, Texas 1899 Public 38,231 Bobcats 2013 2013 Folded
    Texas Tech University Lubbock, Texas 1923 Public 40,528 Red Raiders 2010 2010 Folded
    Tusculum University Tusculum University 1794 Private (Presbyterian) 1,400 Pioneers 2014 2014 Folded
    Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, Virginia 1838 Public 28,919 Rams 2011 2012 Folded
    University of Wisconsin–Parkside Somers, Wisconsin 1968 Public 4,000 Rangers 2013 2013 Folded
    Xavier University Cincinnati, Ohio 1831 Private (Catholic) 6,129 Musketeers 2011 2012 Folded

    NCFA National Championship

    The NCFA National Championship Bowl is the final game of the National Club Football Association season, pitting the semi-finalists of the NCFA Playoffs against one another. From 2012 to 2014, the game featured the top-two teams in the country as determined by the NCFA Coaches Poll and Power Rankings. Starting in 2015, the NCFA instituted an eight-team playoff, which featured four conference championship games. Those four winners would determine the semifinalists before the championship was played.

    The 2019 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game between The Ohio State University and Oakland University featured the first simulcast of the event, with the game being broadcast live on both video and radio outlets. The Buckeyes won the game, 36–9, over the Golden Grizzlies.

    Following the canceled 2020 season, the 2021 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game featured the top two teams in the league's final Power Rankings rather than a playoff due to lingering financial effects felt by the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the location of the game was moved to Waynesburg University, a more centralized location for the remaining teams in the league.

    Beginning in 2022, the NCFA reinstated the playoff system after realigning the league into three conferences. For the 2022 season, three conference champions and one at-large team will be eligible for a four-team playoff. The at-large team will be the highest ranked non-conference champion in the final NCFA Power Rankings.

    Year Champion Runner-Up Final Score Venue Location Game MVP
    2023 TBD TBD TBD Glass Bowl Toledo, Ohio TBD
    2022[2] Gordon State Ohio State 35-15 John F. Wiley Stadium Waynesburg, Pennsylvania Cedrion Brundage
    2021[3] Ohio State George Mason 42-27 John F. Wiley Stadium Waynesburg, Pennsylvania Kellyn Gerenstein
    2020 Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
    2019[4] Ohio State Oakland 36-9 West Family Stadium Wheeling, West Virginia Sam Frank
    2018[5] Apprentice School Oakland 56-14 West Family Stadium Wheeling, West Virginia Terrence Sudberry
    2017[6] Sacred Heart Fort Lauderdale 21-18 West Family Stadium Wheeling, West Virginia Jordan James
    2016[7] Oakland Middle Georgia State 24-14 West Family Stadium Wheeling, West Virginia Shakeer Williams
    2015[8] Middle Georgia State Miami (OH) 33-26 Salem Football Stadium Salem, Virginia Eric Forest
    2014[9] Oakland Robert Morris University – Peoria 14-12 Salem Football Stadium Salem, Virginia Brandon Tucker
    2013[10] Coppin State Middle Georgia State 38-13 Salem Football Stadium Salem, Virginia Gavin Hux
    2012[11] Coppin State Miami (OH) 41-17 Salem Football Stadium Salem, Virginia Antoine Goodson
    2011* Chattahoochee Technical College N/A N/A N/A
    2010* University of New Orleans N/A N/A N/A
    *No championship game played. Champion determined by NCFA Coaches Poll.

    Yearly Postseason Awards

    Starting in 2013, the National Club Football Association began awarding First, Second and Academic All-Americans. Starting in 2014, the league began naming award winners for Players of the Year on both sides of the football as well as the Head Coach of the Year. Oakland University leads all schools with five postseason honors while George Mason has accumulated four.

    2022 NCFA Postseason Awards
    Award Recipient Position School
    Offensive Player of the Year Kellyn Gerenstein Quarterback The Ohio State University
    Defensive Player of the Year Antoine Johnson Defensive Back Gordon State College
    Coach of the Year Jonathan Beach – Michigan State University
    2021 NCFA Postseason Awards
    Award Recipient Position School
    Offensive Player of the Year Chase Soper Quarterback George Mason University
    Defensive Player of the Year Gabriel Gibson Defensive End George Mason University
    Coach of the Year Kevin Adkins – Gordon State College
    2019 NCFA Postseason Awards
    Award Recipient Position School
    Offensive Player of the Year Kellyn Gerenstein Quarterback The Ohio State University
    Defensive Player of the Year Andrew Sebra Defensive End Oakland University
    Coach of the Year James Grega, Jr. – The Ohio State University
    2018 NCFA Postseason Awards
    Award Recipient Position School
    Offensive Player of the Year Justin Fenical Quarterback George Mason University
    Defensive Player of the Year Devin Anderson Defensive End George Mason University
    Coach of the Year Rick Fracassa – Oakland University
    2017 NCFA Postseason Awards
    Award Recipient Position School
    Offensive Player of the Year Willie Marrow Wide Receiver George Mason University
    Defensive Player of the Year Steven O'Connell Defensive Back Oakland University
    Coach of the Year Greg Jones – Sacred Heart University
    2016 NCFA Postseason Awards
    Award Recipient Position School
    Offensive Player of the Year Will Kasser Quarterback Sacred Heart University
    Defensive Player of the Year Bobby Saad Linebacker Oakland University
    Coach of the Year Tom Menas – Oakland University
    2015 NCFA Postseason Awards
    Award Recipient Position School
    Offensive Player of the Year Tyler Rus Running Back Miami (OH)
    Defensive Player of the Year Jimmy Neyhouse Defensive Tackle Wright State University
    Coach of the Year Daniel Mock – Middle Georgia State
    2014 NCFA Postseason Awards
    Award Recipient Position School
    Offensive Player of the Year Sam Clark Quarterback UW–Milwaukee
    Defensive Player of the Year Ryan Sepulveda Defensive End George Mason University
    Coach of the Year John Clarke – Loyola (Chicago)

    References
    1. "NCFA Conferences". ncfafootball.org. NCFA. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
    2. Gordon State College (2022-12-08). "GSC Club Football Returns Home As 2022 NCFA National Champions, NCFA Awards Several HighlandersS". Retrieved 2023-08-30.
    3. "Ohio State Buckeyes: 2021 NCFA National Champions! | NCFA". Retrieved 2021-12-10.
    4. ncbba. "Ohio State Buckeyes: 2019 NCFA National Champions! | NCFA". Retrieved 2020-04-28.
    5. S; S, y; erson. "2018 Post Season History | NCFA". Retrieved 2020-04-28.
    6. S; S, y; erson. "2017 Post Season History | NCFA". Retrieved 2020-04-28.
    7. S; S, y; erson. "2016 Post Season History | NCFA". Retrieved 2020-04-28.
    8. ncfa. "2015 Post Season History | NCFA". Retrieved 2020-04-28.
    9. S; S, y; erson. "2014 Post Season History | NCFA". Retrieved 2020-04-28.
    10. S; S, y; erson. "2013 Post Season History | NCFA". Retrieved 2020-04-28.
    11. S; S, y; erson. "2012 Post Season History | NCFA". Retrieved 2020-04-28.


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