History
The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), located in Kansas City, Missouri was founded in 1927 by Forrest "Phog" Allen, the legendary University of Kansas basketball coach. Formation of the NABC began as an emergency measure for the presentation of a united opinion the Joint Basketball Rules Committee, then the central governing authority of the game, announced without notice that it had adopted a change in the rules which virtually eliminated the dribble. Allen, a student of basketball founder James Naismith, organized coaches to take a stand in a nationwide protest which successfully postponed the adoption of the rule change for one year. It is worthy to note that the dribble still is part of the game of basketball. This marked the beginning of this collective group of coaches to serve as Guardians of the Game. Since its inception, the NABC has contributed numerous ideas and programs to help preserve and enhance the positive aspects of college basketball. These initiatives include establishing the original Basketball Hall of Fame (Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame), creating the format for today's NCAA Basketball Tournament, supporting Coaches vs. Cancer, and building the College Basketball Experience, which houses the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, as part of the Sprint Center Arena located in downtown Kansas City, Missouri.

Purpose
Since its beginning, the NABC has continually worked to further the best interests of the game of basketball as well as the players and coaches who participate in the sport. In doing so, the NABC has established the following goals and objectives to pursue its mission:

• To promote the ideals of integrity, sportsmanship and teamwork among men's basketball coaches and the players whom they coach;
• To unify coaches on issues pertaining to basketball at all levels;
• To provide member services which address the needs of the coach professionally, emotionally, financially, physically and spiritually;
• To encourage basketball coaches to serve as community outreach agents who elevate moral, ethical and educational values;
• To enlighten the general public, media, institutional educators and athletic administrators to the fact that coaches are good for the sport and the young people whom they serve;
• To work with the legislative arm of the NCAA on issues that affect basketball and intercollegiate athletics, in particular identifying issues that not only benefit the student-athlete but also the ability of the coaching staff to work effectively and beneficially within the institution.

Guardians of the Game
Guardians of the Game is a national awareness and education program led by the NABC that focuses attention on the positive roles coaches play in the lives of today's student-athletes, the game of basketball and the community. The program includes the association's four core values: advocacy, leadership, service and education. Each core value provides coaches with a platform to effect positive changes within the game, among student-athletes and their communities.

Membership
The largest professional association of basketball coaches, the NABC currently claims a membership of nearly 5,000 men's basketball coaches throughout the ranks of the NCAA, NAIA, junior and community colleges and high school. Active memberships are available for NCAA Division I, II, III and NAIA head coaches and full-time assistants. Associate memberships are available to former coaches with a required number of years of active membership. Activity memberships are afforded to junior college and high school head coaches and assistants as well as part-time assistants at four-year schools. Certain retired coaches, athletic directors, conference commissioners, AAU coaches, non-varsity scholastic coaches, directors of basketball operations at four-year schools, video coordinators and student managers can apply for Affiliate memberships. The NABC Board of Directors have final say on all membership matters and association bylaws.

Governing Structure
The NABC is governed by a group of 21 board of directors consisting of six officers and 15 board members. The officers include a President, a 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Vice President and an Executive Director. The Executive Committee consists of the current officers and past presidents who conduct the finances of the association.

Convention
The NABC holds its annual convention each spring in conjunction with the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championships. The NABC Convention serves as an opportunity for the basketball coaching community to address the issues surrounding the sport as well as share ideas to further enhance the game. During the Final Four weekend, the association sponsors several major events for college basketball coaches and fans alike. The NABC College All-Star Game traditionally tips off the weekend festivities which also include the NABC Expo and a number of coaching clinics. The Convention concludes with the Guardians of the Game College Basketball Awards Show.

NABC Congress
Formed in 1992 to allow the NABC to work more effectively with the NCAA and its committees, the NABC Congress consists of one NABC coach serving as a conference representative for each of the divisions of NCAA Basketball. Congress representative coaches serve to both relay information from the NABC Board of Directors to fellow conference coaches as well as help survey the membership and garner support for the organization.

NABC Committees
NABC coaches can serve on the following committees: Academic, All-American, All-Star, Alumni, Assistant Coaches, Basketball Rules, Ethics, Hall of Fame, High School, International, Junior College, NAIA and Research.

One Nation, One Flag, One People
One Nation, One Flag, One People encourages the college basketball community, their fans and others to take a stand against bigotry, terrorism and hatred in America by celebrating the fundamental principles and ideals on which the country was founded. By acknowledging and celebrating the values Americans share, it is hoped that this initiative can affect attitudes by showcasing teams who are mutually respectful and work collectively toward common goals despite their differences and diverse backgrounds. Implementation of the One Nation, One Flag, One People initiative is an on-the-court ceremony that begins before tip-off of each game with teams lining up on their respective foul lines for the playing of the National Anthem. Before the anthem is performed, the public address announcer reads a prepared statement on the virtues of tolerance towards others. The program concludes with both teams shaking hands after the National Anthem.

Coaches vs. Cancer
Coaches vs. Cancer is another program which demonstrates how the NABC's efforts extend beyond the game of basketball. Founded by the NABC and the American Cancer Society, Coaches vs. Cancer has become one of the association's most visible projects. Through the tremendous support and effort brought forth from men's basketball coaches, Coaches vs. Cancer has raised more than $70 million since its inception in 1994 for cancer research, patient services and prevention education.

Guardians of the Game Awards Show
The NABC Guardians of the Game Awards Show is held in conjunction with the annual NABC Convention during the Final Four weekend. Presented by AT & T, the Awards Show showcases coaches and student-athletes for excellence both on and off the court. Annual highlights include the naming of the National Coach of the Year and Player of the Year awards for each division of college basketball.

NABC MARKETPLACE
The NABC MARKETPLACE, formerly the NABC Expo, is the association's annual sports trade and exhibition. The MARKETPLACE offers the sports trade industry the opportunity to display the newest basketball related products and services to NABC member coaches during a three-day show. For more information contact Mark Heatherman at the NABC (816) 878-6222 (NABC).

Reese's College All-Star Game
Since 1963, the NABC has showcased college basketball's top senior talent in the NABC College All-Star Game. Now the Reese's College All-Star Game, the game features two teams of college seniors and current and/or former college coaches.  Reese's also sponsor senior all-star games for NCAA Divisions II and III, held at their respective NCAA Championships.

Guardians of the Game Pillar Awards
The Guardians of the Game Pillar Awards are four new honors that recognize coaches for achievements in the core areas of advocacy, leadership, education and service. They have been presented annually since 2002 at the AT&T/NABC Guardians of th Game Awards Show. All coaches at any amateur level of basketball within the NABC membership are eligible for an award. Candidates are nominated by their peers, with one coach from the high school, junior college, NAIA, NCAA Division I, II and III levels selected as finalists for each award. Guardian Awards winners will be selected by a blue-ribbon panel of coaches, NABC Board of Directors, media and others to be determined.

The College Basketball Experience
The College Basketball Experience ("CBE") is a 41,500-square foot state-of-the-art experiential facility adjacent to the Sprint Center in downtown, Kansas City, Mo., and was built to celebrate the game of men's collegiate basketball at a high level. The CBE is operated by the National Association of Basketball Coaches Foundation, Inc. It opened in October 2007, and is also the home of the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. Included among the many venues at the CBE are various interactive tests of basketball skills, all simulating the sights and sounds of a real college basketball game. The rich history and traditions of men's college basketball, including the values imparted in and life-changing impact of coaching and playing the game, are portrayed throughout the facility. For additional information, go to www.collegebasketballexperience.com.

National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame
The National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame (NCBHoF) was created by the NABC and is housed in the College Basketball Experience in downtown Kansas City, Mo. All members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., who have been inducted for men's college basketball are members of the NCBHoF Founding Class. Each November, on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, a new class is inducted in ceremonies held at the College Basketball Experience and the Sprint Center. The first class inducted included Dr. James Naismith, John Wooden, Dean Smith, Bill Russell and Oscar Robertson. For additional information, go to www.collegebasketballexperience.com.

Coaches vs. Cancer Classic
This high-powered preseason tournament is a product of the NABC's partnership with the American Cancer Society. This four-team tournament features some of the nation's most outstanding teams. The Coaches vs. Cancer Classic will be held at the new Barclay's Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., in November, 2012.

CBE Classic
The CBE Classic is conducted in November and is a 16-team tournamnent which begins on four university campuses. After games at the campus sites, the four anchor teams remaining meet in Kansas City's Sprint Center for the semifinals and championship game on the Monday and Tuesday of Thanksgiving week.

National Championship Trophy
Each year, the winner of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball champion is presented a Waterford crystal trophy from the NABC and NCAA. The NCAA-NABC National Championship Trophy is awarded the night of the NCAA championship game.

Coaches Top-25 Poll
In conjunction with USA Today, the NABC supplies a panel of coaches representing each NCAA Division I conference to vote for the weekly Top-25 Coaches Poll.

Quarterly Magazine

Time-Out is the official magazine of the National Association of Basketball Coaches. Published quarterly (Fall, Winter, Convention and Summer), Time-Out provides association coaches updates on the annual convention and NABC News and well as supplying information on current basketball issues and feature stories.

The Basketball Bulletin Newsletter
The Basketball Bulletin is the official email newsletter of the National Association of Basketball Coaches. The Basketball Bulletin is emailed monthly and helps to keep association coaches updated on anything pertaining to the NABC News as well as supplying information on current basketball issues.

Web Site
The NABC home page can be reached at www.nabc.org. Hosted by PrestoSports, information on the home page includes current news and features, awards, upcoming events, membership, coaches polls and a basketball resource guide.

Contact Us

NABC
1111 Main
Suite 1000
Kansas City, Missouri 64105
(816) 878-6222 (NABC) phone
(816) 878-6223 fax
www.nabc.org