I.

Introduction

National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), organization that serves as the administrative and legislative body for the majority of intercollegiate athletics in the United States. The NCAA is comprised of representatives from member colleges, universities, and athletic conferences.

The stated mission of the NCAA is to “maintain intercollegiate athletics as an integral part of the educational program and the athlete as an integral part of the student body.” Chief functions of the association include establishing regulations and enforcing compliance for all member institutions and their athletes, which incorporates everything from academic eligibility rules to scholarship limits; controlling the rights to all media broadcasts and coverage of NCAA events; conducting postseason championship tournaments; health and safety issues for student athletes; and handling disputes among members.