ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at the purpose and methods of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and examines the other governing bodies to determine how they compare. It also examines the specifics relating to how the NCAA and other governing bodies work on a national level to enable member institutions to manage their athletic programs successfully. The NCAA is a voluntary association—meaning that members choose to join—consisting of more than 1,000 institutions, conferences, organizations, and individuals. Efforts to achieve gender equity have had a history of contentiousness for athletic administrators, so it is not surprising that the NCAA membership has sought to formalize statements that show the organization is committed to pursuing equity. The principle governing eligibility is meant to guide the members and the NCAA’s own legislators to craft eligibility requirements that assure the proper emphasis on educational objectives, promote competitive equity, and prevent exploitation of student-athletes.
