DIVISION I MEN'S NATIONAL INTERCOLLEGIATE CHAMPIONSHIP
TOURNAMENT HISTORY
The USPA Division I Men’s National Intercollegiate Championship tournament is part of the United States Polo Association's Intercollegiate/Interscholastic (I/I) polo program, which is dedicated to growing the sport by providing maximum exposure, recruiting collegiate and scholastic institutions, coordinating activities, and organizing competition. Supporting this mission, the I/I program has experienced tremendous growth in recent years.
A longstanding tradition, the first National Intercollegiate Championship for the John R. Townsend Men's Intercollegiate Polo Trophy was won by Princeton University in 1922. Celebrating its 100 year anniversary in 2022, the NIC provides an opportunity for collegiate players from all corners of the United States to come together and compete for the historic trophy.
In 2019, the men and women of Texas A&M University became the second team in history to complete a rare double-double in the world of intercollegiate polo, sweeping the competition for the second year in a row alongside their women's team.
For as long as it has existed, college coaches and supporters of the Intercollegiate/Interscholastic Program have debated ways to grow collegiate polo. While not an unfamiliar concept to college sports enthusiasts, the USPA and I/I leadership groups agreed to split the intercollegiate system into Division I and Division II polo, which developed out of the focus to increase the number of emerging teams competing in spring tournaments and the number of competitive games at every level.
Following the 2021 fall season, the National Host Tournament Committee (NHTC) determined Division assignments based on the strength of teams as determined by rosters, a team’s regular season scores, and the strength of their schedule. Opinions were also pulled from committee members, coaches, umpires, managers, and staff to make the most accurate placement of teams. In addition, women’s and men’s teams from the same school will not be required to play in the same division, allowing teams to participate at an appropriate level. Teams will be able to move back and forth between the divisions from year to year to accommodate for student matriculation and annual roster changes.
Returning for the first time since 2019, due restrictions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, this year's competition has brought competitors back to the east coast returning to Virginia Polo Inc., home of the University of Virginia polo team in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Teams competing for the 2022 Division I Men's NIC title includes University of Virginia (East Regional Winner), University of Kentucky (East Wildcard Selection), University of North Texas (West Regional Winner) and Texas A&M (West Wildcard Selection).
2019 Men's National Intercollegiate Champions: Texas A&M University - Christian Aycinena, Fritz Felhaber, Mariano Sliva, Colton Valentine, Coach Mike McCleary. ©Mike Ryan
