The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is a semi- voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs (athletic sports) of many colleges and universities (university) in the United States and Canada. Its headquarters are located in Indianapolis, Indiana.

In August 1973, the current three-division setup of Division I (Division I (NCAA)), Division II (Division II (NCAA)), and Division III (Division III (NCAA)) was adopted by the NCAA membership in a special convention. Under NCAA rules, Division I and Division II schools can offer scholarships to athletes for playing a sport. Division III schools may not offer any athletic scholarships. Generally, larger schools compete in Division I and smaller schools in II and III. Division I football was further divided into I-A and I-AA in 1978. Subsequently the term "Division I-AAA" was added to delineate Division I schools which do not field a football program at all. In 2006, Divisions I-A and I-AA were respectively renamed the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).