Historically, the decision for NJCAA officials & staff to clear the field or play on when severe weather approached, lived in a messy middle ground. Event hosts used different weather apps that varied from site to site. Weather policies were often vague or locally interpreted. Everyone meant well, but no one had a single, trusted standard.
That frustration and inefficiency is why the NJCAA recently made a move to standardize weather safety monitoring across all 57 of its national championship events.
They moved from a patchwork of random apps to a unified safety platform with Perry Weather – and in doing so, overhauled their entire approach to NJCAA weather policy and governance..
The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) is the national governing body for two-year college athletics in the United States, dedicated to providing opportunities for student-athletes to compete, grow, and succeed both on and off the field. With hundreds of member colleges and thousands of athletes across the country, the NJCAA fosters a competitive environment built on integrity, sportsmanship, and academic achievement.
From championship competitions to player development pathways, the NJCAA plays a vital role in shaping the future of collegiate athletics. It serves as a stepping stone for athletes pursuing higher levels of competition while emphasizing education, leadership, and lifelong success.
Perry Weather shares the same mission as the NJCAA … to enhance the safety of fans, coaches, and more than 60,000 student-athletes by delivering the tools and expertise needed to make informed weather-related decisions during events.
Through its advanced weather monitoring platform featuring real-time alerts for lightning, severe storms, and heat risks along with direct access to Perry Weather’s team of certified meteorologists, the NJCAA and its member institutions will be equipped to respond quickly and confidently to evolving weather conditions.
<— Photo from 2025 NJCAA Football Championship (from L to R): Parker Cowan, Account Executive, Dr. Christopher Parker, NJCAA President and CEO, Jeff Wood, Director of Partnerships, Dr. Brett Monaghan, VP for NJCAA Championships, Membership and Sports Governance.
Safety policies are only effective when they can be applied in real time. Through this partnership, Perry Weather helps the NJCAA staff, member schools, and conferences translate best-practice guidance into daily operational action.
The Perry Weather platform delivers real-time lightning detection with an automated all-clear timer, on-site Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) monitoring for heat stress, air quality readings, 24/7 personalized meteorologist support, and much more. By eliminating guesswork and ensuring compliance with association mandates, Perry Weather provides the single source of truth that keeps athletic events safe and running smoothly. This technology will allow NJCAA member schools to make quicker, more accurate decisions regarding safety in competition.
Contact Parker Cowan ([email protected]), Account Executive, if you’d like to learn about Perry Weather solutions for your junior college or university campus
“By combining the NJCAA’s leadership with Perry Weather’s technology, schools nationwide will be better prepared to protect student-athletes, coaches, officials, and their communities from the risks of heat and severe weather.”
“For us to partner with someone like Perry Weather, who’s a leader in their own field, enables us to give best information possible that benefits the safety of the student athletes, the coaches, and the fans.”
“Our partnership with the NJCAA is built on a strong relationship and a shared commitment to protecting everyone involved in their championship events nationwide”
The Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) has selected Perry Weather as its weather safety solution across all athletic programs. This marks a major step in the conference’s ongoing efforts to prioritize athlete safety, streamline game-day operations, and stay ahead of dangerous conditions.
The annual NJCAA Convention took place in Kansas City in April 2026 and it was another great event that brought together a record number of attendees. We had a chance to visit with many of our client schools and connect with new opportunities. Thanks for stopping by our booth. We’ll see you in Charlotte for the 2027 event!
