NCHC Historical Overview

Our Story: A Legacy of Homeschool Athletics

Founded during the 1991-92 season, the National Christian Homeschool Championship (NCHC) began with a single basketball tournament in San Antonio, Texas. Since then, we’ve grown into the largest and most prestigious organization for homeschool athletics in the nation. This growth is a testament to the dedication of our players, coaches, and staff.

For the first nine years, the tournament was led by Jim Leininger, Don Miller, and Alan Day. In 2000, Tim Flatt took the helm and, along with his wife Cheryl, guided the NCHC’s day-to-day operations through 2020. In 2004, Tim’s son Robert joined the team, helping to expand our reach by adding basketball Regionals and Districts, as well as new sports through partnerships with Lamar Sports (Larry Johnson). Robert, who took over as Executive Director in 2014, has been involved in homeschool athletics at every level, from player to coach. Zachary Stargell joined in 2015-16, with his role expanding alongside the growth of our events. Additionally, the NCHC added Conferences with Jeremy Bialek as the NCHC Conference Commissioner.

Incredible Growth

The growth of homeschool sports has been remarkable over the last 24 years. We’ve expanded from a single-sport event to a diverse platform with numerous tournaments.

Total Teams at NCHC Events

1991: Year 1 of NCHC
2000: 125 (Basketball only)
2020: 1,136 (Basketball & Volleyball only)
2025: 1,546 (Basketball & Volleyball only)

NCHC Events with 50+ Teams

1999: 1
2019: 4
2025: 9

NCHC Events with 100+ Teams

2000: 1
2020: 3
2025: 6

NCHC Events with 200+ Teams

2002: 1
2020: 2
2025: 4

National Tournament History

Our tournaments have been hosted in some of the most dynamic cities across the country.

🏀 National Basketball Tournament

Host Cities: San Antonio, Sante Fe (New Mexico), Estes Park (Colorado), Oklahoma City, and Springfield (Missouri).
Largest Homeschool Basketball Event: This tournament has been the largest homeschool sporting event for 32 consecutive years.

🏐 National Volleyball Tournament

Host Cities: Springfield (Missouri), Wichita (Kansas), Kansas City (Missouri & Kansas), and Lawrence (Kansas).
Largest Homeschool Volleyball Event: This tournament has been the largest homeschool sporting event for 13 consecutive years.

Our Tournaments by the Numbers

See the incredible year-over-year growth of our flagship tournaments.

1998-1999 – 100 Teams

1999-2000 – 125 Teams

2000-2001 – 158 Teams

2001-2002 – 202 Teams

2002-2003 – 226 Teams

2003-2004 – 238 Teams

2004-2005 – 254 Teams

2005-2006 – 288 Teams

2006-2007 – 294 Teams

2007-2008 – 304 Teams

2008-2009 – 324 Teams

2009-2010 – 328 Teams

2010-2011 – 329 Teams

2011-2012 – 330 Teams

2012-2013 – 330 Teams

2013-2014 – 331 Teams

2014-2015 – 332 Teams

2015-2016 – 333 Teams

2016-2017 – 340+ Teams

2017-2018 – 350+ Teams

2018-2019 – 350+ Teams

2019-2020* – 350+ Teams (COVID CANCELED)

2020-2021 – 312 Teams

2021-2022 – 362 Teams

2022-2023 – 358 Teams

2023-2024 – 384 Teams

2024-2025 – 408 Teams

2025-2026 – TBD- Registration Now Open- CLICK HERE

2011-2012 – 60 Teams

2012-2013 – 61 Teams

2013-2014 – 62 Teams

2014-2015 – 63 Teams

2015-2016 – 64 Teams

2016-2017 – 64 Teams

2017-2018 – 65 Teams

2018-2019 – 96 Teams

2019-2020 – 96 Teams

2020-2021 – 128 Teams

2021-2022 – 138 Teams

2022-2023 – 143 Teams

2023-2024 – 174 Teams

2024-205 – 210 Teams

Expanding Our Reach

Starting in 2002, we began adding new sports to our national tournament schedule.

Track and Field Nationals – Started in 2002, hosted in Wichita, KS – Moved to Kansas City in 2003

Boys Soccer– Started in 200,3, hosted in Wichita, moved to Omaha, Nebraska in 200,6. Omaha — Moved to Kansas City in 2007

Cross Country Nationals– Started in 2007, hosted in Kansas City

Girls Soccer – Started in 2007, hosted in Kansas City

Volleyball – Nationals started in 2009 in Springfield, and began hosting Regionals in 2025.

Golf – Started in 2010 in Springfield

All National Tournaments were in Springfield, Missouri, during the 2009-2010 school year.

2009-2010 – Fall Championships 75 Teams
2009-2010 – Spring Championships 99

Regional Basketball Tournaments In 2007, we began hosting Regional Basketball Tournaments to provide more opportunities for teams to compete.

2006-2007: 93 Teams (Lebanon, MO; Cincinnati, OH)
2007-2008: 132 Teams (Lebanon, MO; Cincinnati, OH)
2008-2009: 230 Teams (Cincinnati, OH; Atlanta, GA; Oklahoma City, OK; Omaha, NE; Shreveport, LA)
2009-2010: 252 Teams (Atlanta, GA; Oklahoma City, OK; Omaha, NE; Houston, TX; Indianapolis, IN)
2024-25: 560 Teams attended NCHBC 2025 HomeSchool Basketball Regionals! Midwest (235 teams), Big South (215 teams), Heartland (115 teams).

District Basketball Tournaments. In 2019, we began hosting District Basketball Tournaments to provide more opportunities for teams to compete.

2024-25: 311 Teams (Houston & Fort Worth, TX, Monroe, LA, Wichita, KS, Orange, CA)- More info- CLICK HERE

Below is the link to the New York Times article and slide show from the 17th annual National Championships:

* SPORTS March 16, 2008 Growing Cheers for the Home-Schooled Team By JOE DRAPE