Each year the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) tests the skills and expertise of the small college athlete and the professionals, who coach them. During NJCAA men's basketball finals, teams from all over the world engage in a 27-game schedule that in part determines whether or not they will secure a place in the National Championship tournament each March. The finals, determined in 12 games over a three-day period, has been in existence since 1991. During that time, teams from all over the United States have had the opportunity to shine in determining which junior college is the best in the land. Whenever the eight best teams get together, fans can expect a rough and tumble exercise in basketball skill and strategy. Throughout the course of the tournament’s 20+ year history, few have had the opportunity to repeat as champions. The reason is that so many of these schools are evenly matched, and each year, it is virtually anyone’s ball game.

The NJCAA does not just celebrate basketball, however. It gives athletes from other sports, such as softball, baseball, football, wrestling, volleyball, golf, and even volleyball a chance to stand out. The professionals, who oversee the NJCAA’s athletic programs understand that college is about more than hitting the books. It is about digging down a little deeper to determine what one is capable of outside of the classroom. While many of the men's basketball players and athletes at the junior college level never go on to play professional sports, the things that they learn while involved in these endeavors prepare them for the competition of life, and entertain many thousands of fans along the way. The NJCAA also gives future athletes a chance to continue their love of sports beyond high school while working toward further accomplishments inside of a classroom. For this organization, it’s about success in life, and their sports programs are just one avenue for that achievement.