FAQ - National College Athlete Honor Society

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the history of Chi Alpha Sigma?
What does Chi Alpha Sigma do?
How does one become a member of Chi Alpha Sigma?
How does an institution establish a Chi Alpha Sigma charter?

What is the history of Chi Alpha Sigma?

The National College Athlete Honor Society was founded at DePauw University, Greencastle, Indiana, on May 17, 1996, by DePauw head football coach and professor of kinesiology, Nick Mourouzis. Mourouzis recognized that there were many organizations that honored top or elite athletes with high academic achievements, but none that honored all participants of athletic teams who were letter winners of their sport and who maintained a high cumulative grade point average. Chi Alpha Sigma hopes to bring honor and recognition to deserving student-athletes, their families, teams, athletic departments, and colleges in much the same way as Phi Beta Kappa honors scholastics.

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What does Chi Alpha Sigma do?

Chi Alpha Sigma is the first national scholar-athlete society to honor those collegiate student-athletes who have excelled in both the classroom and in athletic competition. Chi Alpha Sigma recognizes college students who receive a varsity letter in their sport while maintaining a 3.4 or higher cumulative GPA throughout their junior and/or senior years. The governing board represents all levels of competition in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Its purposes are as follows:

To encourage and reward high academic scholarship of college athletes at four-year accredited colleges and universities;
To recognize outstanding academic achievement by intercollegiate varsity letter winners;
To encourage good citizenship, moral character, and friendship among the high academic achievers in college athletics;
To recognize and honor the individual athlete, his/her team, sport, athletic department, and college or university;
To mentor and to provide leadership to other athletes.

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How does one become a member of Chi Alpha Sigma?

Membership in local chapters is an honor bestowed upon selected student-athletes. Selection for membership is by an athletic department designee in consultation with the individual's head coach and is based on outstanding scholarship, earned athletic letter winner, and excellent character and citizenship.

CRITERIA:

Must attend a four-year accredited college or university that is a member of the NCAA or NAIA.
Must have earned a letter in a varsity intercollegiate sport sponsored by the NCAA or the NAIA.
Must have achieved at least junior academic standing by the fifth semester or seventh quarter as determined by the certifying institution.
Must have achieved a minimum cumulative 3.4 (on a 4.0 scale) or equivalent grade point average by the time of the selection process. Local chapters may require a higher minimum cumulative grade point average, if they choose.
Must have endorsement from the head coach of his/her sport.
Must have official documentation from the registrar's office as to class standing and grade point average.
Must be recommended by the college or university Chapter Advisor.
Must be of good moral character.

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How does an institution establish a Chi Alpha Sigma charter?

Information on establishing a Chi Alpha Sigma charter can be found on the Constitution page.

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