# 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.
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 had 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. In 2021 and 2022, the NCFA National Championship Game was moved to Waynesburg University at John F. Wiley Stadium. After one season at UPMC Graham Field in 2023, the title game returned to Waynesburg University in 2024.
The 2020 Fall season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

## 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.
| Institution | Location | Founded | Affiliation | Enrollment | Nickname | Joined |
| 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.

### Former members

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.
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.
Beginning in 2022, the NCFA reinstated the playoff system after realigning the league into three conferences. The three conference champions and one at-large team are now eligible for a four-team playoff. The at-large team is the highest ranked non-conference champion in the final NCFA Power Rankings. Gordon State would go on to defeat Ohio State in the National Championship game 35-15 in the first year of the realigned league.
| Year | Champion | Runner-Up | Final Score | Venue | Location | Game MVP |
| 2024 | Ohio State | Clayton State | 20-13 | John F. Wiley Stadium | Waynesburg, Pennsylvania | Aidan Donovan |
| 2023 | Central Georgia Technical College | Ohio State | 29-14 | UPMC Graham Field | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | DeShawn Cumby |
| 2022 | Gordon State | Ohio State | 35-15 | John F. Wiley Stadium | Waynesburg, Pennsylvania | Cedrion Brundage |
| 2021 | Ohio State | George Mason | 42-27 | John F. Wiley Stadium | Waynesburg, Pennsylvania | Kellyn Gerenstein |
| 2020 | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic | | | | | |
| 2019 | Ohio State | Oakland | 36-9 | West Family Stadium | Wheeling, West Virginia | Sam Frank |
| 2018 | Apprentice School | Oakland | 56-14 | West Family Stadium | Wheeling, West Virginia | Terrence Sudberry |
| 2017 | Sacred Heart | Fort Lauderdale | 21-18 | West Family Stadium | Wheeling, West Virginia | Jordan James |
| 2016 | Oakland | Middle Georgia State | 24-14 | West Family Stadium | Wheeling, West Virginia | Shakeer Williams |
| 2015 | Middle Georgia State | Miami (OH) | 33-26 | Salem Football Stadium | Salem, Virginia | Eric Forest |
| 2014 | Oakland | Robert Morris University – Peoria | 14-12 | Salem Football Stadium | Salem, Virginia | Brandon Tucker |
| 2013 | Coppin State | Middle Georgia State | 38-13 | Salem Football Stadium | Salem, Virginia | Gavin Hux |
| 2012 | 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 "Freshman of the Year" and "Assistant Coach of the Year" awards. Ohio State leads all schools with seven postseason awards, followed by George Mason with six.
2024 NCFA Postseason Awards :
| Award | Recipient | Position | School |
| Offensive Player of the Year | Matthew Faulkner | Wide Receiver | Clayton State University |
| Defensive Player of the Year | Matthew Humphreys | Defensive End | The Ohio State University |
| Freshman of the Year | Lavell Lyles | All-Purpose | Wright State University |
| Coach of the Year | Franklyn Hererra | – | Coppin State University |
| Assistant Coach of the Year | Zac Saleski | Offensive Line | The Ohio State University |
2023 NCFA Postseason Awards :
| Award | Recipient | Position | School |
| Offensive Player of the Year | Spencer Moore | Quarterback | The Ohio State University |
| Defensive Player of the Year | Ahmad Kareem | Defensive End | Michigan State University |
| Freshman of the Year | J'Ionta Jones | Defensive Tackle | Central Georgia Technical College |
| Coach of the Year | Terry Kendrick | – | Central Georgia Technical College |
| Assistant Coach of the Year | Dylan Barron | Defensive Coordinator | The Ohio State University |
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 |
| Freshman of the Year | Cedrion Brundage | Running 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 | 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) |