History

The National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletics (N4A) has been in existence since 1975 when it was known as the National Athletic Counselors Association (NACA). The current name was adopted in 1977 at the second national convention in Miami.

The brainchild of Frank Downing (University of Kentucky) and Clarence Underwood (Michigan State University), the fledgling organization met in the summer of 1975 at Michigan State where these two men outlined the development of what was to become the mature and vibrant organization it is today.

The first two years were "putting things together" times. However, the first N4A Convention was held in conjunction with the NCAA Convention in St. Louis in 1975. The fifteen academic advisors in attendance adopted a statement of purpose for our organization: "To assist the student-athletes in maintaining their eligibility and achieving a viable education leading to graduation." This purpose statement is still a part of the N4A philosophy.

Until 1993, N4A conventions were held at the same site as the NCAA annual meetings. However, when our numbers grew large enough that we could negotiate our own convention space, we moved from January to June and have rotated our annual meetings by region.

Convention themes have ranged from lengthy ones (1982) to our shortest, "Choices", in 1999. Convention topics have progressed from logo arguments (1987) to gender equity, homophobia, learning disabilities and the health and well being of our membership. The current “Code of Ethics" was established when one of our members actually went to jail rather than disclose information on student-athletes.

As we progress into the new millennium, we notice some changes since our humble beginnings. Our numbers have grown from fifteen to over six hundred. Conference attendees now number over four hundred. However, one thing has not changed: our commitment to the educational pursuits of the young people whose lives have been entrusted to us by their families and coaches. No matter what the theme of the annual meeting, no matter where we hold our conventions, this commitment remains intact.