The National Consortium for Academics and Sports (NCAS) is an ever-growing organization of colleges, universities and individuals. 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.

The National Consortium for Academics and Sports evolved in response to the need to "keep the student in the student-athlete." The NCAS was established by Dr. Richard E. Lapchick and since its inception in 1985, NCAS member institutions have proven 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 services offered at exclusively discounted rates. NCAS membership dues are assessed and collected on an annual basis.

Through the shared leadership with Dr. Richard E. Lapchick as President of the NCAS and the Chair of UCF’s DeVos Sport Business Management Program, the support of Rich and Helen DeVos for both, as well as the commonalities of missions, a close working relationship has developed. The NCAS supports key components of the DeVos Program including:

• Diversity management and MVP training (gender violence prevention) to all DeVos students
• Graduate assistant positions for three of the DeVos students each year with NCAS
• Recruitment of potential students to enroll in the program from NCAS schools
• Community service for our students through Orlando Athletes Outreach
• A scholarship to a DeVos student from an NCAS school

As of the 2005-06 academic year, the NCAS and DeVos program have expanded the relationship with the NCAS directing the entire community service program for the DeVos students. Students will receive academic credit for completion of the community service requirement. This will dramatically increase the impact on the Orlando community served and on the DeVos students.

The DeVos program, in coordination with NCAS, trains outstanding student leaders who can impact the youth of America on topics such as balancing academics and athletics, drug and alcohol abuse, racial, gender and human rights sensitivity, violence prevention and conflict resolution, and gender violence prevention.

"The National Consortium for Academics and Sports is a necessary organization because, in and of itself, sports is neither immoral nor moral, it needs the character of the people behind the sport. And that's the role the NCAS serves. It's the conscience, particularly, of college sport."

John Rawlings
Senior VP and Editor, Sporting News

Richard Lapchick's 13th book, 100 Pioneers: African-Americans Who Broke Color Barriers in Sport, is hot off the presses! Order your copy directly from the publishers by visiting www.fitinfotech.com.

You can order Richard Lapchick's 12th book, 100 Heroes: People in Sports Who Make This a Better World, by downloading this order form.