Chi Alpha Sigma
Honor society for collegiate student-athletes
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Chi Alpha Sigma (ΧΑΣ), also known as the National College Athlete Honor Society, is an honor society for collegiate student-athletes.[1] Established in 1996, it was the first national society to honor four-year college scholar-athletes who excel in both the classroom and athletics.[2][1]
| Chi Alpha Sigma | |
|---|---|
| ΧΑΣ | |
| |
| Founded | May 17, 1996 DePauw University |
| Type | Honor |
| Affiliation | Independent |
| Status | Active |
| Emphasis | Athletics |
| Scope | National |
| Motto | "Excellence in Athletics and Academics" |
| Colors | Gold and Black |
| Chapters | 470 |
| Headquarters | PO Box 898 River Falls, Wisconsin 54022-0898 United States |
| Website | www |
History
Nick Mourouzis formed the National College Athlete Honor Society at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana on May 17, 1996.[3][2] Mourouzis was the head football coach and a professor of kinesiology at DePauw.[2][3] Although there were existing organizations that honored athletics for academic accomplishments, Mourouzis wanted student-athletes who lettered in their sport while also maintaining a high-grade point average.[2] He worked on the legal aspects of such an organization during a sabbatical in 1995.[1]
Mourouzis envisioned an organization to honor student-athletes the way Phi Beta Kappa recognizes scholars.[1] The Greek letters Chi Alpha Sigma were chosen to represent the honor society.[1] He recruited coaches for the society's governing board that represent various levels of competition.[1] The charter board included:[1]
- Jona Braden, Butler University
- Scott Duncan, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
- Mary English, DePauw University
- John Friend, Purdue University-Calumet
- David Huffman, University of Indianapolis
- Elizabeth "Buzz" Kurpius, Indiana University
- Nick Mourouzis, DePauw University
- Joe Romine, Taylor University
The Alpha chapter was chartered at DePauw University.[1] From there, the honor society expanded to other colleges and universities in Indiana.[1] It then expanded across the United States.[4]
Symbols
Chapters
Membership
Varsity athletes in all college sports are eligible to join Chi Alpha Sigma if a local chapter has been established on campus.[1] Its membership requirements are an endorsement from their head coach as to their good moral character, standing as a junior or senior, and completion of four fulltime academic semesters with a minimum 3.5 GPA.[6][2][7]
Notable members
- Adam Presa, member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives[8]
- Jenna Rheault, professional hockey player