WHAT IS THE NAVAL ACADEMY ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION?

The Naval Academy Athletic Association, founded in 1891 by Robert Means Thompson, is a 501C3 non-profit organization whose objective is to "promote, influence, and assist in financing the athletic contests of the midshipmen of the United States Naval Academy" in accordance with the policy of the Superintendent of the Academy.

Through an intercollegiate athletic program that is one of the largest in the country, and a highly organized club sports program and intramural sports program, each midshipman, male and female, is afforded the opportunity to compete in athletics at a level commensurate with his or her abilities. The emphasis on physical fitness is borne out in the first line of the mission of the Naval Academy: To develop midshipmen morally, mentally and physically.

The current goals of the NAAA are as follows:

• Reinforce the educational and moral values of the Academy leading to the commissioning of officers for the United States Navy and Marine Corps.
• Field highly competitive and successful Division I intercollegiate teams that promote spirit and pride in the Brigade and Alumni.
• Successfully operate as a non-government entity and generate external revenues with fiscal responsibility and in cooperation through a supportive relationship with the USNA Administration and Foundation.
• Promote the USNA to the community, alumni, fans, media and corporations in a manner that generates pride in association and commitment to support.
• Advance the synergy between all units of physical activity, education and their staff to the benefit of the Brigade.
• Enhance the aesthetic dignity and stature of the Yard while constructing and maintaining first class sports facilities and grounds commensurate with the finest in the nation.

The NAAA discharges fiscal responsibilities basically through the disbursement of appropriated and non-appropriated funds. Appropriated funds are allocated through the Superintendent's Office for a small percentage of the expenses incurred exclusively by the non-revenue generating programs, typically referred to as "Olympic Sports". Non-appropriated (non-government) funds are generated through admissions charged for intercollegiate athletic contests, mainly football, appearances by football on television, game guarantees, marketing, promotions, corporate sponsorships, dues and gifts from Blue & Gold members of the Association, and from interest on invested funds. All NAAA coaches, administration, and staff are compensated for their professional services via non-appropriated (non-government) funding that is externally generated by the NAAA. All revenue from any source received by the NAAA is committed to the at-large support of the Academy's intercollegiate and club sports athletic programs. The Naval Academy Athletic Association is not a government agency or instrumentality and is not part of the United States Naval Academy or the United States government. The United States Naval Academy, nor the United States government, has any obligation or liability for the actions, decisions, commitments, or liabilities of the Naval Academy Athletic Association.

The NAAA arranges the scheduling of over 500 contests in ten conference affiliations for intercollegiate athletics, including the 32 varsity sports and 12 plebe/junior varsity teams, provides coaching staffs, all operational expenses and equipment, and maintains a fully staffed central office to handle the administrative details of the intercollegiate and club sports athletic programs. In addition, it makes all arrangements for approximately 1500 student-athletes who are members of the Navy sports teams for competition either in Annapolis or when they go on the road.

An Athletic Board of Control (BOC) that is composed of nine members provides NCAA required institutional oversight of the NAAA. The BOC is chaired by the Commandant of Midshipmen who reports minutes of all meetings to the Superintendent of the Academy. The other members are the President of NAAA (Director of Athletics), Vice President of the NAAA (Deputy Director of Athletics), four members of the Board appointed by the Superintendent, another elected by the Athletic Council from among active duty officer members of the Association regularly attached to the Naval Academy, and a third elected by the Board of Control from the officer or civilian members of the Association currently on the Academy's faculty.

All negotiations, plans, appointments and acts of the NAAA which directly affect the Naval Academy athletic program are subject to the review of the NAAA Board of Control and ultimately the approval of the Superintendent of the Naval Academy.

The NAAA has its own administrative staff consisting of the Director of Athletics who has a direct reporting line to the Superintendent, Deputy Director of Athletics, a number of Associate and Assistant Directors of Athletics, a Director of Finance, a Director of Ticket Operations, a Director of Facilities, a Director of Sports Information, a Director of Compliance, and additional support staff as needed to assist in the duties of the organization.

Membership in the NAAA was opened to all interested parties in the past decade. NAAA membership currently totals over 4,400 alumni, naval officers and friends of Navy athletics. The organizations that support the NAAA are the Naval Academy Foundation Athletic & Scholarship Program Trustees, and the Blue & Gold membership.

Each year the NAAA offers a Blue & Gold membership to each member of the graduating class. For those alumni seeking tickets to the Army-Navy football game, the NAAA provides preferential seats for each member of the Blue & Gold in good standing.

The Naval Academy Athletic Association operates and maintains the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium and the Naval Academy Golf Course and coordinates the use of such other athletic facilities as Halsey Field House for basketball; Lejeune Hall for swimming, water polo and wrestling; Macdonough Hall for gymnastics, and volleyball; Bishop Stadium for baseball; Ingram Field for track and field; Glenn Warner Soccer Facility for men's and women's soccer and lacrosse; Wesley Brown Field House for track; Rip Miller Field, a synthetic-surfaced field for all-weather practice and athletic contests and Alumni Hall for men's and women's basketball games.

For years, the NAAA has invested in many capital projects at the Naval Academy. The NAAA's involvements relate not only to intercollegiate athletics but also to the overall quality of lifetime fitness enhancing the training and physical development of the Midshipmen. For example, recently, the NAAA has contributed over $3 million towards the construction of the new Brigade Sports Complex and provided over $1 million of financial support for the Naval Academy Golf Course. Current plans call for a Phase IV NAAA commitment of approximately $5 million dollars toward the ongoing renovation of Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

In April 2011, the NAAA, in conjunction with the Naval Academy administration, faculty, and staff, successfully completed the required National Collegiate Athletic Association certification process. The NAAA is in substantial conformity with all rules, regulations, standards of institutional control and conduct as outlined by the NCAA and has been officially certified as a fully accredited Division I member.

ADOPTION AND AMENDMENTS

1892 - Adopted for Navy Auxiliary Athletic Association.
1900 - Revised for Navy Athletic Association.
1908 - Amended.
1925 - General Revision.
1928 - General Revision.
1934 - General Revision, Approved 9 May 1934.
1936 - Amended, Approved 12 June 1936.
1940 - Amended, Approved 15 January 1940.
1941 - Amended, Approved 14 January 1941.
1942 - Amended, Approved 5 February 1942.
1944 - Amended, Approved 7 September 1944.
1947 - Amended, Approved 27 May 1947. Changed name to Naval Academy Athletic Association.
1948 - Amended, Approved 1 July 1948.
1948 - Amended, Approved 14 October 1948.
1953 - Amended, Approved 3 December 1953.
1955 - Amended, Approved 31 March 1955.
1955 - Amended, Approved 1 June 1955.
1957 - Amended, Approved 31 May 1955.
1957 - Amended, Approved 1 August 1957.
1957 - Amended, Approved 19 September 1957.
1959 - Amended, Approved 25 April 1959.
1960 - Amended, Approved 1 March 1960.
1961 - Amended, Approved 1 May 1961.
1965 - Amended, Approved 9 September 1965.
1974 - Amended, Approved 1 May 1974.
1977 - Amended, Approved 1 August 1977.
1982 - Reprinted 30 April 1982.
1996 - Amended, Approved 1 June 1996.
2002 - Amended, Approved
2010 - Amended, Approved 17 December 2010

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I
Name and Headquarters

Section 1. This Association shall be known as the NAVAL ACADEMY ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION.
Section 2. The Headquarters of the Association shall be at the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland.

ARTICLE II
Objective

Section 1. The objective of the Association shall be to promote and assist in financing the athletic program of the Midshipmen of the U.S. Naval Academy in accordance with the policy of the Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy.

ARTICLE III
Board of Control - Officers

Section 1. There shall be a Board of Control to form policy and provide oversight for the operation of the Naval Academy Athletic Association. This Board shall be composed of nine voting members with the Superintendent having the option to add additional voting members as needed: The voting members shall be: The Chairman of the Board, who shall be the Commandant of Midshipmen of the U.S. Naval Academy; the President of the Association; the Vice President of the Association; the fourth and fifth members shall be members of the Faculty and Staff of the Naval Academy, appointed by the Superintendent; a sixth member shall be an Officer Representative for a varsity athletic team, who shall be recommended by the Director of Athletics and appointed by the Commandant of Midshipmen; the seventh member shall be the Institutional Athletic Representative to the National Collegiate Athletic Association who shall be appointed by the Superintendent and the eighth and ninth members shall be positions at large selected and appointed by the Superintendent. Upon recommendation of the Board of Control, the Superintendent may authorize ex officio, non-voting members, to be assigned to the Board. In this capacity, the Superintendent authorizes the Vice President/Athletic and Scholarship Programs of the Naval Academy Foundation to serve as an ex-officio, non-voting, member on the Board.
Section 2. The term of the appointed and elected members is one year beginning on June 1st of each year. Active duty military and civil servants serving as members of the Board of Control serve in their Department of the Navy capacities and owe a fiduciary duty to the Department of the Navy. If a matter arises in which there is a conflict between the interests of the Association and the interest of the Navy, the active duty military and civil service members shall not participate in or take any action with respect to the matter. Should this circumstance arise, the matter shall be forwarded to the Superintendent for resolution. In the event any member is detached, resigns or is otherwise unable to serve the member's full term of office, the member shall be replaced within (30) days by appointment or election as above prescribed.
Section 3. Should the action of the Board in voting on any matter result in a tie, the vote of the Chairman shall control.
Section 4. The officers of the Association shall be a President, who shall be the Director of Athletics; a Vice President, who shall be the Assistant Director of Athletics or the Deputy Director of Athletics; a Secretary; a Treasurer; and an Assistant Treasurer. The Vice President, the Secretary, the Treasurer, and the Assistant Treasurer shall be appointed by the President subject to approval by the Board of Control.
Section 5. All negotiations, plans, appointments and acts of this Association, or of its officers acting as such, which directly affect the Naval Academy athletic program, shall be subject to review by the Board of Control and approval of the Superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy.

ARTICLE IV
Membership

Section 1. The following individuals shall be eligible for membership in the Association:
(a) Graduates of the U.S. Naval Academy.
(b) Officers, Civilian Professors, Instructors and Staff at the Naval Academy are considered Faculty/Staff members. Membership as a Faculty/Staff member shall cease upon separation from the Naval Academy. Such members continue as Regular Members of the Association as long as their dues are paid annually. Professors and Staff Emeritus shall remain as Faculty/Staff members as long as their dues are paid annually.
(c) Regular member. Any other individual who pays initiation fees and annual dues.
(d) Life membership. Individuals who pay a specified fee shall receive a dues-free lifetime membership in the Naval Academy Athletic Association. This type of membership is non-transferable and shall cease on death of member.
(e) All Midshipmen at the Naval Academy shall be considered as undergraduate members of the Association, and upon graduation may become graduate members on application.
Section 2. Changes in this constitution with respect to eligibility shall not of themselves be held to invalidate any membership of a member in good standing on the date of their adoption.

ARTICLE V
Admission of Members
Fees, Dues and Privileges

Section 1. Any person in good standing, who is eligible under the provisions of Article IV, may become a member of the Association by submitting application to the Treasurer, paying the initiation or reinstatement fee, and the dues for the current year.
Section 2. The initiation fee shall be established by the Board of Control and approved by the Superintendent. This fee is waived for Faculty and Staff and undergraduate (midshipmen) members.
Section 3. Lifetime membership and annual dues shall be established by the Board of Control and approved by the Superintendent. Each member shall be responsible for the annual dues of the Association. Annual dues are waived for undergraduate (midshipmen) members.
Section 4. Members who resign, or who are dropped for non-payment of dues of the Association, may be readmitted upon payment of a fee established by the Board of Control provided they are eligible for membership under the provision of Article IV.
Section 5. Each member of the Association who has paid dues for the current year, shall be entitled to receive, or purchase tickets for seats preferential as to location for home football games and, where practicable, for other athletic events provided the request for tickets is received in accordance with the rules established by the Board of Control.

Section 6. The rules which the Board of Control establishes to govern ticket issuance to members shall include the following general provisions:
(a) That only four tickets for the Army-Navy football game, preferential as to location, may be purchased by any member.
(b) That all members requesting seats preferential, as to location for the Army-Navy football game, shall be required to contract to use such preferential seats for personal use only; personal use to be defined in the contract as meaning "that the member or a member of the immediate family will occupy one of the four preferential seats."
Section 7. The responsibilities, rights, and privileges of each regular member shall be personal to, shall not be transferable, and shall cease by death, or when membership ceases from other causes as provided in this Constitution.
Section 8. Nothing in this Article shall be construed to deprive any member now in good standing, of any rights or privileges granted by the Association.

ARTICLE VI
Resignations, Arrears, Expulsions, Etc.

Section 1. Any member desiring to terminate membership in the Association shall submit a resignation in writing to the Treasurer.
Section 2. Any member who fails to pay the dues of the Association within 60 days after billing shall, upon the approval of the President, be dropped from the Association.
Section 3. If it appears to the Board of Control that the continued membership of any member is not to the best interests of the Association , the Board of Control shall have authority to drop such member from the rolls of the Association.

ARTICLE VII
Board of Control and Athletic Council

Section 1. The Board of Control shall normally meet once each month to act on the business of the Association. There will be one meeting at least every sixty days. The Chairman of the Board may call such additional meetings as deemed necessary. In any meeting five voting members shall constitute a quorum.
Section 2. The Board of Control shall administer the affairs of the Association in accordance with the Constitution to include but not limited to the following: establish policy for contracts made by the Association; establish policy governing ticket issuance, including complimentary tickets; establish policy with regard to expenditures for entertainment and other public relations purposes; advise the Superintendent in all matters pertaining to intercollegiate athletics, including matters of policy; establish and maintain a banking policy for the deposit of current operating funds, and designate the bank or banks in which such funds shall be deposited; render decisions in regard to the purchase and sale of securities for the account of the Association; may purchase, lease, or otherwise acquire, real property, or any interest in real property for the Association or its benefit; may sell, convey, mortgage or otherwise dispose of real property or any interest in real property owned legally or beneficially by or for the Association; determine the amount of bond to be carried on each officer and employee of the Association; fix salaries, honoraria and other remuneration for all personnel required to conduct the business of the Association; review the monthly reports of the Treasurer; require an annual audit of accounts by independent public accountants, designate the accountants therefore and submit the accountant's full reports to the Superintendent; establish the budget each fiscal year and submit it to the Superintendent for final approval. The fiscal year shall be 1 June to 31 May of the succeeding calendar year.
Section 3. There shall be an Athletic Council composed of the members of the Board of Control, the Deputy Commandant of Midshipmen, the Executive Officer of the Department of Physical Education, all Associate/Assistant Athletic Directors who supervise varsity sports programs, the Director of Sports Information, and the Officer Representatives of sports as appointed by the Superintendent.
Section 4. The Athletic Council shall meet at such times as may be deemed necessary by the Chairman of the Board. The Council will recommend Midshipmen to receive special athletic recognition and elect or reappoint a member from the Athletic Council to the Board of Control.

ARTICLE VIII
Duties of Officers

Section 1. The President shall supervise the handling of the affairs of the Association in accordance with the Constitution and shall be responsible for the performance of the duties of its subordinate officers and employees; be responsible for the execution of all established policies, orders and resolutions of the Board of Control; be responsible for the establishing and maintaining of proper relations with other institutions with whom athletic contests may be held; negotiate in the name of the Association the contracts authorized by the Board of Control, disseminate information regarding athletics of the U.S. Naval Academy; issue Athletic Association trophies and prizes; shall sign on behalf of the Association, upon authorization of the Board of Control, all deeds, leases, mortgages and other documents conveying or otherwise pertaining to real property or any interest in real property, title to which is held in the Association and shall be the custodian of the properties of the Association. Should the Treasurer be absent, or disabled, the duties of this office shall be assumed by the President. The President may delegate any duties to any other officer of the Association but shall remain responsible.

VICE PRESIDENT

Section 2. The Vice President shall aid the President in carrying out the duties of the office, and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned by the President.

SECRETARY

Section 3. The Secretary shall be responsible to the President for:

(a) Recording and custody of minutes of all meeting and conferences of the Association.
(b) The administrative correspondence of the Association.
(c) Such reports, other than financial, as are required by the Board of Control.
(d) Records of midshipmen athletic awards.
(e) Such other duties as may be assigned by the President.

TREASURER

Section 4. The Treasurer shall be responsible to the President for:
(a) Records and membership rolls of the Association and correspondence pertaining thereto.
(b) Preparation and operation of the budget, including monthly statements of budget differences.
(c) Signing with the President in the name of the Association, all contracts authorized by the Board of Control and affixing the seal of the Association thereon and signing with the President on behalf of the Association all deeds, leases, mortgages and other documents conveying or otherwise pertaining to real property or any interest in real property which is owned by the Association, and affixing the seal of the Association thereon.
(d) Such monthly or other financial reports as are required by the Board of Control.
(e) All funds, which shall be deposited in the name of the Association subject to and in accordance with the approved banking and investment policies.
(f) Executing the decisions of the Board of Control in regard to the purchase and sale of securities for the account of the Association.
(g) The collection and receipt of revenues and the proper disbursement of funds authorized by the President.
(h) Keeping of full and accurate books of the accounts under an accrual system.
(i) Matters relating to taxes, insurance, and employee benefits.
(j) Perform such other duties as may be assigned by the President.

ASSISTANT TREASURER

Section 5. The Assistant Treasurer shall aid the Treasurer in carrying out the duties of the office of Treasurer and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned. Should the Assistant Treasurer be absent or disabled, the duties of that office shall be assigned by the President.
Section 6. The Assistant Treasurer shall sign and the Treasurer shall countersign all stock powers, bond powers, and checks for the disbursement or withdrawal of funds.

ARTICLE IX
Investment of Funds

Section 1. The Board of Control shall from time to time, at its discretion, determine what portion of the assets of the Association are not necessary for current operations or to maintain liquid reserves. Such assets shall be deemed to be available for investment (the "Investment Trust Fund") and shall be invested under the direction of the Board of Control upon the following conditions:
The Board of Control may adopt, and from time to time may modify or revoke, policies setting forth the manner and extent to which the Investment Trust Fund or specified portions thereof, may be dedicated to specified projects or purposes. Such policies may also specify the extent to which the Investment Trust Fund, and the earnings thereon and accretions thereto, may be applied to supplement annual revenues for the purpose of meeting operating expenses.
The Board of Control shall employ one or more nationally known investment advisors to manage and invest the Investment Trust Fund and advise on the purchase or sale of securities; shall effect all orders for the purchase or sale of securities through reputable brokerage firms and shall at all times handle the Investment Trust Fund of the Athletic Association in the same manner in which individuals of reasonable prudence, discretion, and intelligence handle their own affairs, not in regard to speculation, but in regard to permanent disposition of their funds considering the probable income and safety of the capital to be invested.
Section 2. The Board of Control shall follow a general investment policy based on the preservation of capital with moderate growth and income and commensurate risk.
Section 3. The Board of Control shall determine what percentage of the Investment Trust Fund will be invested in Government bonds, corporate bonds and corporate stocks. For proper diversification not more than 5% of the total funds, at market shall ordinarily be invested in the securities of any one corporation, state, municipality, or government other than that of the United States.
Section 4. Nothing contained in Section 1 of this Article shall be construed so as to restrict the right of the Association to purchase, lease or otherwise acquire any real property or any interest in real property for the purpose of promoting the objective of the Association.

ARTICLE X
Income and Property

Section 1. The income and property of the Association, from whatever source derived, shall be applied solely toward the promotion of the object of the Association, and no portion thereof shall be paid or transferred, directly or indirectly, by way of dividend, bonus, or otherwise by way of profit, to the persons who at any time are or have been members of the Association or to any person claiming through any of them; however, that nothing herein contained shall prevent the payment in good faith or remuneration to any officers or employees of the Association, to any member of the Association, or any such person for authorized expenses incurred on behalf of the Association.

Section 2. Title to any real property or any interest in real property acquired by the Association may be held in the name of the Association, in the name of a corporation, the capital stock of which is wholly owned by the Association, or in the name of the President and the Treasurer of the Association and their respective successors in office as Trustees for the Association, upon such terms and with such powers as may be established by the Board of Control.

ARTICLE XI
Amendments

Section 1. All amendments to this Constitution shall be recommended by the Board of Control, approved by the Superintendent, and then submitted to the membership of the Association for ratification. Ratification will be considered obtained by the membership provided that either:
(a) A majority of the membership returned their ballots and that a majority of the returned ballots supported the change; or
(b) A majority of the membership did not return their ballots.

ARTICLE XII
Dissolution

Section 1. The duration of the Naval Academy Athletic Association (NAAA) shall be perpetual or until dissolved upon the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members of the Board of Control. Upon dissolution of the Association, any assets of the Association which remain after satisfaction of all liabilities shall be distributed to an organization whose purpose is aiding, encouraging and supporting the physical mission of the United States Naval Academy to advance the education of the midshipmen in the area of athletics only if that organization has been determined to be qualified as a section 501 (c) (3) organization under the Internal Revenue Code. If there is no such organization in existence, any assets of the Association remaining after satisfaction of all liabilities shall be distributed to the United States Naval Academy for the specific purpose of supporting the athletic program.

 

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