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:
“Reporters for tabloid newspapers beat a path to the park entrance each summer when the national convention of nudists is held, but the cult’s requirement that visitors disrobe is an obstacle to complete coverage of nudist news. Local residents interested in the nudist movement but as yet unwilling to affiliate make observations from rowboats in Great Egg Harbor River.”
—For the State of New Jersey, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)
“With all their faults, trade-unions have done more for humanity than any other organization of men that ever existed. They have done more for decency, for honesty, for education, for the betterment of the race, for the developing of character in man, than any other association of men.”
—Clarence Darrow (1857–1938)