Chi Alpha Sigma
| 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 | 555 |
| Headquarters | PO Box 898 River Falls, Wisconsin 54022-0898 United States |
| Website | www |
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]
History
[edit]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
[edit]The honor society's colors are gold and black.[5] Its motto is "Excellence in Athletics and Academics."[1]
Chapters
[edit]Chi Alpha Sigma has chapters located across the United States.[4] As of May 19, 2026, it has 555 active chapters.[4]
Membership
[edit]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
[edit]- Adam Presa, member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives[8]
- Jenna Rheault, professional hockey player
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Coach Nick Mourouzis Establishes First Student-Athlete Honor Society". DePauw University. February 28, 1997. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "37 Student-Athletes Inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma". Rutgers University Athletics. Retrieved 2023-07-13.
- 1 2 "About Chi Alpha Sigma | National College Athlete Honor Society". Chi Alpha Sigma. Retrieved 2023-07-13.
- 1 2 3 "Chapter Directory". Chi Alpha Sigma. Retrieved 2025-01-27.
- ↑ "Graduation Cords". Chi Alpha Sigma. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
- ↑ "Shenandoah announces 139 student-athletes inducted to Chi Alpha Sigma". Potomac Local News. 2023-03-17. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
- ↑ "Scholars". Northeast Times. 2023-04-06. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
- ↑ "New England College Announces 2024 Chi Alpha Sigma Inductees". New England College. 2024-04-12. Retrieved 2025-03-12.