The idea for the NJCAA was conceived in 1937 at Fresno, California. A handful of junior college representatives met to organize an association that would promote and supervise a national program of junior college sports and activities consistent with the educational objectives of junior colleges.

The constitution presented at the charter meeting in Fresno on May 14, 1938, was accepted and the National Junior College Athletic Association became a functioning organization.

The Minnesota Community College Conference (MCCC) was first established in the fall of 1967 although many two year colleges throughout the state were competing in intercollegiate athletics prior to that time. 

Football was the first organized sport within the MCCC, followed by men's cross country, basketball, wrestling, hockey, baseball, tennis, and track in the 1969-1970 academic year.  In 1973, competitions in women's volleyball, basketball, softball, and track and field were added.

The Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) is the conference for athletics in Region XI of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). It has 16 member schools from Iowa and Minnesota with 16 intercollegiate sports. The ICCAC exists to ensure high quality intercollegiate athletic participation and competition through proper and professional administration in accordance with the NJCAA.