The National Scholastic Athletics Foundation in Brief
The NSAF is a Federally tax-exempt 501-c-3 not-for-profit organization with the Mission to inspire youth to live active, healthy lifestyles, and to prepare them for future success.
The NSAF:
- Raises funds for athlete support to national and international track and field and cross-country competitions.
- Has provided over one million dollars toward athlete support and is the largest not-for-profit benefactor of high school athletes in any sport in America.
- Has distributed over $400,000 of shoes and uniforms, donated to the NSAF by its partners to high schools and youth programs throughout the country.
- Over 60% of the 2008 USA Olympic team medalists competed at at least one NSAF event including, Kerron Clement, Angelo Taylor, Shalane Flanagan and Sanya Richards; and most received NSAF travel grants as high school aged athletes.
- Hundreds of colleges and universities send representatives to our national championship events and, as a result, an estimated $10,000,000 in scholarships is awarded annually to athletes competing at our events.
- Presents clinics, camps and seminars for athletes and coaches on technique, training methods, injury prevention and rehabilitation, drug education and tolerance preparation.
- Continually creating innovative educational programs & resources for athletes and coaches. Future plans include SAT and ACT test preparation and mentoring programs and the NSAF’s web-based College Recruiting Resource Center.
“My heartfelt thanks and appreciation for the help provided by the NSAF to aspiring athletes like I was. It was definitely the springboard to launching my career in track, and I am glad to give back in any way I can.”
- Sanya Richards, Olympic Gold and Silver Medalist, NSAF Alumnus
“The NSAF has been there from start to finish for many of our athletes, providing support to the High School/Junior Elite and Emerging Elite in our program for many years. We are certainly grateful that Mike, Jim, Joy, Cedric, AJ and all foundation members continue to remind our athletes to " keep their eyes on the prize". Throughout our clubs 40 + year history, NSAF has shared in our rich legacy and podium moments, thanks for setting the stage year after year.”
- Christopher Turner, Colorado Flyers Track Club
“The NSAF has provide awesome support for past, present, and future US, World, Olympic champions. I truly appreciate all the hard work the NSAF team provides to make aspiring athletes dreams come true.”
- Michael Ford, Coach, Baylor University, Waco, Texas
Each year the NSAF hosts over 7,000 athletes at its three national high school indoor & outdoor track & field and cross-country championships. There the nation’s best athletes vie for the coveted NSAF Championship Ring awarded to each winner and for recognition on the NSAF All-American team.
Held in mid March at the New Balance Track & Field Center in the New York Armory and home to numerous national records. The overwhelming majority of our US National teams received their first taste of national competition at this meet. Positioned just before the college signing dates begin in the spring, it is the premier showcase for the country’s top track and field student athletes, and millions of dollars worth of college scholarships and opportunities are awarded annually based upon what college coaches see there.
This is the most prestigious post-season track and field championships for high school athletes and is the showcase for over 2900 of America’s best elite and emerging high school talent annually since 1991. It is currently held at North Carolina A&T University in Greensboro, North Carolina in June.
The GACCF carries a tradition of fierce team and individual competition, a challenging course and a festival atmosphere. Competition includes races for high school and collegiate teams and the Historically Black College & University Challenge. The American Independent Schools Cross-Country Championships for schools who are not members of their state high school federations, is held on Saturday afternoon at the event.
The NSAF budgets over $200,000 annually for athlete support. Grants are made to athletes based on national ranking and need for travel and hotel expenses. Grants are provided to help athletes attend a variety of events including the NSAF's own events.
Support provided to athletes attending other elite meets such as the Arcadia Invitational in California, the Simplot Games in Idaho, the Boise Indoor Classic in Boise, ID, the Virginia Showcase in Lynchburg, VA, the RHFit Invitational in Winston-Salem, NC, the Kentucky HS Invitational in Lexington, KY, the Bojangles Track and Field Classic in South Carolina, Chandler Kiwanis Relays in Chandler, AZ, the Howard Wood Relays in Sioux Falls, SD the Mobile Challenge of Champions in Alabama, the Great Southwest Classic in Albuquerque and the Bullis Invitational in Potomac, MD.
Historically, the NSAF has offered clinics and seminars at its national events for high school athletes, coaches and fun how-to clinics for elementary and middle school kids.
In 2011 the NSAF introduced its NSAF Performance Camp Series beginning with two new specialized camps in the javelin (Project Kultan Keihas) and triple jump (Project Triple Jump) both of which are intended to identify athletes who have demonstrated an elevated talent, work ethic and potential for developing into world-class throwers and jumpers, and then to provide them with the best training available. Athletes are tracked during the ensuing year.
Plans are to expand this program in 2012 and beyond.
The NSAF has created a Mentorship Program. The pilot phase is scheduled to begin at the 2012 New Balance Nationals and will include assigning an elite post-collegiate athlete with participating high school athletes as well as providing seminars and guidance on a variety of issues including study skills, collegiate admission requirements and balancing athletics and studies.
The NSAF co-hosts the CSI with Puerto Rico in June each year. Team NSAF is selected and fully funded with all expenses paid by the NSAF. CSI provides a competitive and cross-cultural experience for Team NSAF athletes as they compete against and learn from athletes from across the Caribbean.
Thirty athletes are supported annually to compete for berths on the USA World Junior, PanAm Junior, and Youth teams. An average 50% of the team members annually are NSAF supported athletes who also comprise 70% of the total high school athletes on the teams. NSAF supported athletes have contributed to several American, World Junior and World Youth Records.
All athletes do not go on to Olympic greatness. However, each in their own way contributes to our community. Athletes in our sport are focused, determined, have a well-defined work ethic, and a commitment to achievement.
The NSAF provides several opportunities for you to become a supporting member of Team NSAF. Whether you simply want to make a donation, sponsor an individual event at our meets, help defray costs of athletic and educational programs or create marquee value for your business with a meet sponsorship, we can tailor a plan that fits you and your budget. And, since the NSAF is a 501-c-3 not-for-profit organization, your donation is tax deductible!
NSAF Events
New Balance Indoor Nationals
New Balance Nationals
The Great American Cross-Country Festival
Grants and Support
NSAF Select Meets
NSAF Performance Camp Series
Mentorship Program - New for 2012
The Caribbean Scholastic Invitational
USATF National Junior & Youth Championships
Join "Team NSAF"
