The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is a nonprofit organization that regulates student-athletes from over 1,200 colleges and universities in the United States. Founded in 1906, its primary purpose is to oversee and promote college sports while ensuring fair competition and the well-being of student-athletes. The NCAA organizes national championships in various sports and establishes rules for eligibility and scholarships. The NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II, and Division III, each with different levels of competition and scholarship opportunities. Division I schools, such as University of Alabama and Duke University, often have larger athletic budgets and more extensive media coverage, while Division III focuses on a balance between athletics and academics without offering athletic scholarships.