The Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the United States was founded in 1906 in response to escalating concerns regarding player safety and the integrity of college athletics. Following a series of serious injuries and even fatalities in college football, a number of esteemed leaders from various institutions gathered in New York City to establish a governing body that would oversee and standardize rules for college sports. The association's creation was a direct reaction to the dangerous conditions surrounding football games at the time, which were often marred by rough, unregulated play and inadequate player protections.

With 13 colleges as its founding members, including prominent institutions like Harvard, Yale, and Princeton, the newly formed organization convened to implement reforms that would enhance player safety and promote fair competition. Among the early efforts were the introduction of protective equipment, enforcement of fair play rules, and the establishment of eligibility requirements for student-athletes. This initiative marked a significant shift in how collegiate sports were governed, moving from a loosely regulated environment to a more structured framework.

Eventually, in 1910, the Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the United States would be renamed the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), which continues to hold enormous influence over college sports in the United States. Its establishment laid the groundwork for what would become one of the largest athletic organizations in the world, overseeing a vast array of sports at various levels, while promoting the values of education and sportsmanship among student-athletes.