Mission Statement & History

The National Collegiate Grappling Association (NCGA) is dedicated to the development, governance, and promotion of collegiate grappling as a respected and accessible sport within the higher education community. Our mission is to provide student-athletes with a structured environment that upholds the highest standards of athletic excellence, academic achievement, and personal integrity. Through the establishment of consistent rules, eligibility standards, and championship events, the NCGA fosters fair competition, institutional collaboration, and leadership development, offering pathways for student-athletes to earn athletic and academic honors while preparing for success beyond their collegiate careers. Guided by the core principles of integrity, inclusion, and excellence, the NCGA is committed to strengthening the role of grappling within collegiate athletics and promoting its long-term growth and sustainability. In partnership with colleges, universities, athletic administrators, and coaches, we serve the student-athlete first, ensuring that collegiate grappling evolves as a respected, educationally sound, and globally recognized sport.

The National Collegiate Grappling Association (NCGA) was founded by a coalition of leaders from the National Collegiate Wrestling Association (NCWA) and USA Grappling (USAG), bringing together over 100 years of combined experience in collegiate athletics and combat sports governance. Recognizing the growing demand for organized collegiate grappling opportunities, these leaders joined forces to create a unified platform dedicated to expanding access, standardizing competition, and supporting the academic and athletic development of student-athletes nationwide. The NCGA stands as a testament to their shared vision of building sustainable pathways for collegiate grapplers to excel both on the mat and in the classroom.