NIRSA Club Basketball

NIRSA Club Basketball

League play for everyone, part of the NIRSA Championship Series

Club teams will have the opportunity to participate in the NIRSA Club Basketball Conference which is dedicated to providing a premier championship experience.

In addition to the opportunities for club teams, campus recreation professionals and institutions will have the chance to gain relevant career experience and hosting experience through the facilitation of play at NIRSA Club Basketball Conference club events.

Team registration and scheduling for the league will take place at NIRSA IMLeagues.

Registration and Conference Information

  • Registration opens June 1 and remains open until October 1
  • No payment is required at the time of registration.
  • Clubs will be notified of their divisions on October 5
  • Clubs in formed conferences have until October 15 to arrange payment options (see Conference Fees)
  • All registration takes place at www.IMLeagues.com/nirsa

The NIRSA Club Basketball Conference dues are $875 per club per season. Dues can be pay in one sum due October 15 or be broken into three payments of $291.67, due October 15, November 15 and December 15.

Your team will receive:

  • Guaranteed 6-10 Conference games
  • All officiating fees covered
  • Athletic Training fees covered (Note: May need to supply own tape or wrap)
  • One NIRSA Regional Basketball Tournament entry of the club’s choice
    • Teams will receive 3 games minimum
  • Conference Champions get paid team entry into the NIRSA National Basketball Championship

Where do your dues go?
NIRSA wants to be as transparent as possible with the students and professionals who participate in NIRSA Championship Series events. The following is a cost estimate of the NIRSA Club Basketball Conference per club:

  • $200 for NIRSA Club Basketball League Costs
    • Covers three person officiating
  • $325 for team entry into one NIRSA Regional Basketball Tournament
  • $60 for Conference Champion award and recognition
  • $100 towards Conference Champion team entry into the NIRSA National Basketball Championship
  • $190 for liability insurance to provide coverage for schools that host Club Basketball Conference Events

Eligibility standards will remain consistent with current NIRSA Championship Series eligibility guidelines. All standards must be met and maintained for students to participate throughout the season. Teams are required to submit a player verification form prior to the start of Conference competition.

Positive Sporting Behavior Statement

The NIRSA Championship Series believes good sporting behavior is an integral component of intercollegiate competition. Please read the complete Positive Sporting Behavior Statement.

NIRSA Club Basketball Work Team

NIRSA HQ Rep: Lauren Carlson

Chair: Jasmine Randolph, James Madison University

Conference Commissioners:

NIRSA Club Basketball Work Team Q&A

The NIRSA Club Basketball Work Team will be holding an Info Session on Zoom for the 2024-2025 Club Basketball Season on the following dates:

2024-2025 Club Basketball Weekly Rankings

2024-2025 Club Basketball Schedule

Men’s Divisions

Northeast Division

Teams coming soon!

Northwest Division

Teams coming soon!

South Division

Teams coming soon!

Southeast Division

Teams coming soon!

Midwest Division

Teams coming soon!

West Division

Teams coming soon!

Women’s Divisions

Northeast Division

Teams coming soon!

Northwest Division

Teams coming soon!

South Division

Teams coming soon!

Southeast Division

Teams coming soon!

Midwest Division

Teams coming soon!

West Division

Teams coming soon!

Registration and Conference Information

Registration

  • Registration opens June 11 and remains open until October 14
  • Clubs can register and show interest without financial commitment
  • There must be at least six teams for a conference to form. Once formed, clubs will be contacted
  • Clubs in formed conferences have until November 16 to arrange payment options (see Conference Fees)
  • All registration takes place at www.IMLeagues.com/nirsa

Benefits

  • One-way travel limited to 4-6 hours for conference play
  • All officiating and athletic training fees will be included in conference dues
  • Paid entry into one NIRSA Regional Basketball Tournament of the club’s choice
  • Two opportunities to win paid team entry into the NIRSA National Basketball Championship
    • Win a NIRSA Club Basketball Conference
    • Win a NIRSA Regional Basketball Tournament
  • Dedicated NIRSA professionals with relevant club management experience
  • Guaranteed 6-10 Conference games
    • Total games determined by conference size
  • All contests will be scheduled by your Conference Commissioner
  • Minimal administrative duties for Club Captains
  • No additional hidden fees to play

Conference Format

  • Clubs are committing to three weekends of play for the Club Basketball Conference: Two club basketball events and one NIRSA Regional tournament
  • All play starts in the Spring and must be completed before March 30, so Conference Champions can be determined for Nationals
  • If club teams miss a weekend of play, your Conference Commissioner will attempt to reschedule but a makeup weekend of play is not guaranteed
  • Conference standings will determine a Conference Champion at the conclusion of conference play

Rules

Conference Fees

The NIRSA Club Basketball Conference dues are $1,150 per club per season. Dues can be pay in one sum due November 16 or be broken into three payments of $383.34, due November 16, January 16 and February 16.

Your team will receive:

  • Guaranteed 6-10 Conference games
  • All officiating fees covered
  • Athletic Training fees covered (Note: May need to supply own tape or wrap)
  • One NIRSA Regional Basketball Tournament entry of the club’s choice
    • Teams will receive 3 games minimum
  • Conference Champions get paid team entry into the NIRSA National Basketball Championship

Where do your dues go?
NIRSA wants to be as transparent as possible with the students and professionals who participate in NIRSA Championship Series events. The following is a cost estimate of the NIRSA Club Basketball Conference per club:

  • $460 for entry into two NIRSA Club Basketball Conference events
    • Covers three person officiating costs
    • Covers licensed Athletic Trainer costs for entire event
    • Covers game site staff and additional costs
  • $325 for team entry into one NIRSA Regional Basketball Tournament
  • $60 for Conference Champion award and recognition
  • $115 towards Conference Champion team entry into the NIRSA National Basketball Championship
  • $190 for liability insurance to provide coverage for schools that host Club Basketball Conference Events

Eligibility

Eligibility standards will remain consistent with current NIRSA Championship Series eligibility guidelines. All standards must be met and maintained for students to participate throughout the season. Teams are required to submit a player verification form prior to the start of Conference competition.

Positive Sporting Behavior Statement

The NIRSA Championship Series believes good sporting behavior is an integral component of intercollegiate competition. Please read the complete Positive Sporting Behavior Statement.

Officials

Student officials are a critical component of the NIRSA Championship Series. The integrity of the current student development format will continue to be upheld with the NIRSA Club Basketball Conference. Student officials will be used for Conference play. All games will be played using the three person officiating system to ensure the same level of quality that is expected at NIRSA Regional and National Basketball Championships.

Hosts

NIRSA Championship Series is looking for Club Basketball hosts this season! If your interested please apply

Contact Information

NIRSA Club Basketball Work Team

Chair: DJ Netherly, Cal Poly-Pomona
Vice Chair: Jasmine Randolph, James Madison University

Conference Commissioners:

Q&A

NIRSA Club Basketball Work Team Q&A

The NIRSA Club Basketball Work Team will be holding a Q&A on September 27th and October 13th at 8pm. This will be held virtually via Zoom. The link to the meeting is HERE. 

2023 Club Basketball Division Winners

Men’s Divisions

South Division

Texas A&M University

Southeast Division

Nova Southeastern University

Women's Divisions

South Division

Texas A&M University

Midwest Division

University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee

Why Club Basketball Matters

College students are at the heart of our club basketball league

We strongly believe in providing students with the best opportunity for competition, professional development, and fair play. The growth of basketball clubs on college and university campuses across North America has increased dramatically over the last several years.

In 2019, 47 of the 78 teams who competed in the NIRSA National Basketball Championships were club teams. NIRSA basketball events have become a vital part of our profession’s opportunity to inspire and educate not only the students playing on club teams, but also the officials who regulate and the staff members who coordinate those events.

Because sport clubs are student organized, participants gain significant experiential learning by developing a constitution, governing themselves, and engaging NIRSA and participating league school’s departments for guidance in decision making and risk management.

The increase in presence of club basketball teams across North America affords us a unique opportunity to expand on the current NIRSA Championship Series basketball structure.

Spalding logo white

Spalding is a proud supporter of
NIRSA and the NIRSA Championship Series

Support the Association and get your official NIRSA basketball at a reduced price.

"Series Talk Club Basketball" with photo of two people having a discussion

SeriesTalk: Club Basketball

Recorded June 2019 as part of NIRSA’s SeriesTalk. Club basketball continues to expand in the NIRSA Championship Series. This video reviews the history of the league, current layout, hosting opportunities, and future plans.

"Club Basketball Roundtable" with photos of two people on video call

Club Basketball Virtual Roundtable

Recorded on Friday, June 26, 2020 as part of NIRSA’s Ideas in Motion series of virtual roundtables. Facilitated by Joshua Dietrich and Matt Dunigan.

Need more information?

If you have any questions regarding the league or how to get involved, contact NIRSA Championship Series Club Basketball Work Team Chair, Jasmine Randolph, or NIRSA National Sport Programs Coordinator, Lauren Carlson.