National Club Football Association
National Club Football Association Sport American Football Founded 2010; 13 years ago First season 2010 No. of teams 16 Most recent champion(s) Central Georgia Technical College (1st title) Most titles Coppin State, Oakland, Ohio State (tied with 2) Official website https://www.ncfafootball.org
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 .
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) recognized, in addition to the above, student clubs without official recognition 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 had 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, was there a major distinction between the two; the Yankee conference last played in 2016, with its remaining members either folding or joining the NCFA).
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 .[ 1]
Active Member Schools
The organization has 16 active clubs for the 2024 season. All current members are 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.[ 2]
Institution
Location
Founded
Affiliation
Enrollment
Nickname
Joined
Colors
Great Lakes - East Division
Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio
1870
Public
61,369
Buckeyes
2012
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
Sacred Heart University
Fairfield, Connecticut
1963
Private (Catholic, diocesan )
5,974
Pioneers
2015
University of Vermont
Burlington, Vermont
1791
Public
12,164
Catamounts
2010
South Atlantic Division
Columbus State University
Columbus, Georgia
1958
Public
7,925
Cougars
2011
Clayton State University
Morrow, Georgia
1969
Public
6,900
Lakers
2024
Gordon State College
Barnesville, Georgia
1872
Public
4,555
Highlanders
2021
Independent
University of South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina
1801
Public
35,388
Gamecocks
2010
Of the 16 active member schools for the 2024 season, five (Michigan State, Ohio State, South Carolina, Sacred Heart, Toledo) have parent NCAA programs. The remaining 11 teams operate as their schools' only active football programs, despite not being sponsored by their respective athletic departments.
The NCFA has 50 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
Central Georgia Technical College
Macon, Georgia
1962
Public (Community/Technical )
3,896
Titans
2022
2024
NJCAA
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, Georgia
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
Longwood University
Farmville, Virginia
1839
Public
4,470
Lancers
2010
2024
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
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania
1787
Public
28,391
Panthers
2016
2023
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 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.[ 3]
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. Ohio State went on to beat George Mason University 42-27, to capture their second national championship.[ 4]
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. Gordan State would go on to defeat Ohio State in the National Championship game 35-15.[ 5]
Year
Champion
Runner-Up
Final Score
Venue
Location
Game MVP
2023
Central Georgia Technical College
Ohio State
29-14
UPMC Graham Field
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
DeShawn Cumby
2022[ 6]
Gordon State
Ohio State
35-15
John F. Wiley Stadium
Waynesburg, Pennsylvania
Cedrion Brundage
2021[ 7]
Ohio State
George Mason
42-27
John F. Wiley Stadium
Waynesburg, Pennsylvania
Kellyn Gerenstein
2020
Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2019[ 8]
Ohio State
Oakland
36-9
West Family Stadium
Wheeling, West Virginia
Sam Frank
2018[ 9]
Apprentice School
Oakland
56-14
West Family Stadium
Wheeling, West Virginia
Terrence Sudberry
2017[ 10]
Sacred Heart
Fort Lauderdale
21-18
West Family Stadium
Wheeling, West Virginia
Jordan James
2016[ 11]
Oakland
Middle Georgia State
24-14
West Family Stadium
Wheeling, West Virginia
Shakeer Williams
2015[ 12]
Middle Georgia State
Miami (OH)
33-26
Salem Football Stadium
Salem, Virginia
Eric Forest
2014[ 13]
Oakland
Robert Morris University – Peoria
14-12
Salem Football Stadium
Salem, Virginia
Brandon Tucker
2013[ 14]
Coppin State
Middle Georgia State
38-13
Salem Football Stadium
Salem, Virginia
Gavin Hux
2012[ 15]
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. Starting in 2022, the NCFA added an "Assistant Coach of the Year" award. George Mason leads all schools with six postseason awards followed by Oakland and Ohio State with five.
2023 NCFA Postseason Awards[ 16]
Award
Recipient
Position
School
Offensive Player of the Year
Spencer Moore
Quarterback
Ohio State University
Defensive Player of the Year
Ahmad Kareem
Defensive End
Michigan State University
Coach of the Year
Terry Kendrick
–
Central GA Tech
Assistant Coach of the Year
Dylan Barron
Defensive Coordinator
Ohio State University
2022 NCFA Postseason Awards[ 17]
Award
Recipient
Position
School
Offensive Player of the Year
Kellyn Gerenstein
Quarterback
Ohio State University
Defensive Player of the Year
Antoine Johnson
Defensive Back
Gordon State College
Coach of the Year
Jonathan Beach
–
Michigan State University
Assistant Coach of the Year
Tim Shelley II / Rod Brown
Co-Defensive Coordinators
Gordon State College
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
Ohio State University
Defensive Player of the Year
Andrew Sebra
Defensive End
Oakland University
Coach of the Year
James Grega, Jr.
–
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
^ Sanderson, Sandy (2020-07-21). "NCFA Fall Season Cancelled due to COVID-19 | NCFA" . Retrieved 2024-10-02 .
^ "NCFA Conferences" . ncfafootball.org . NCFA. Retrieved 6 September 2023 .
^
^ Lind, Andrew (2021-12-04). "Ohio State's Club Football Team Wins Second Straight National Championship" . Sports Illustrated Ohio State Buckeyes News, Analysis and More . Retrieved 2024-10-02 .
^ Varsity Sports Now (2022-12-05). Club Football National Championship (NCFA) Gordon State 35 Ohio State 15 . Retrieved 2024-10-02 – via YouTube.
^ Gordon State College (2022-12-08). "GSC Club Football Returns Home As 2022 NCFA National Champions, NCFA Awards Several HighlandersS" . Retrieved 2023-08-30 .
^ "Ohio State Buckeyes: 2021 NCFA National Champions! | NCFA" . 10 December 2021. Retrieved 2021-12-10 .
^ ncbba (10 December 2019). "Ohio State Buckeyes: 2019 NCFA National Champions! | NCFA" . Retrieved 2020-04-28 .
^ S; S, y; erson (2 December 2018). "2018 Post Season History | NCFA" . Retrieved 2020-04-28 .
^ S; S, y; erson (3 December 2017). "2017 Post Season History | NCFA" . Retrieved 2020-04-28 .
^ S; S, y; erson (3 December 2016). "2016 Post Season History | NCFA" . Retrieved 2020-04-28 .
^ ncfa (5 December 2015). "2015 Post Season History | NCFA" . Retrieved 2020-04-28 .
^ S; S, y; erson (6 December 2014). "2014 Post Season History | NCFA" . Retrieved 2020-04-28 .
^ S; S, y; erson (7 December 2013). "2013 Post Season History | NCFA" . Retrieved 2020-04-28 .
^ S; S, y; erson (17 November 2012). "2012 Post Season History | NCFA" . Retrieved 2020-04-28 .
^ https://ncfafootball.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2023-NCFA-Individual-Award-Winners.pdf .
^ https://ncfafootball.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/2022-NCFA-Individual-Awards-update.pdf .
External links