The National Scrabble Association (NSA) was created in 1978 by Selchow & Righter, then the makers of Scrabble, to promote their game. It coordinated local clubs and Scrabble tournaments in North America, including the National Scrabble Championship, until 2009. The current director is John D. Williams who is co-author of the book Everything Scrabble.
In July 2009, the coordination of tournaments and competitive clubs was transferred to a new organization, North American Scrabble Players Association (NASPA). The NSA continues to publish Scrabble News and run programs such as the School Scrabble program.
Activities of the association include:
- Organizing and promoting the National Scrabble Championship (through 2008)
- Playing an active role in Scrabble public relations, publicity and promotions
- Developing and promoting the National School Scrabble Program
- Developing and managing the ProLiteracy Worldwide Fund-Raiser Program
- Publishing 8 issues of Scrabble News each year
- Answering questions from consumers and press regarding the game's history, rules, products, etc.
- Advising Hasbro on word games
- Monitoring the media for correct trademark use
- Co-ordinating casual Scrabble clubs.
Famous quotes containing the words national and/or association:
“Not one of our national officers ever has had a dollar of salary. I retire on full pay!”
—Susan B. Anthony (1820–1906)
“The spiritual kinship between Lincoln and Whitman was founded upon their Americanism, their essential Westernism. Whitman had grown up without much formal education; Lincoln had scarcely any education. One had become the notable poet of the day; one the orator of the Gettsyburg Address. It was inevitable that Whitman as a poet should turn with a feeling of kinship to Lincoln, and even without any association or contact feel that Lincoln was his.”
—Edgar Lee Masters (1869–1950)