NITOC Moves Eastward, Part 1

Our National Invitational Tournament of Champions was first hosted in 2010 by Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, California. At our first NITOC we enjoyed competition among 354 competitors who represented 12 states. Like our clubs, NITOC continued to move and grow eastward. Colorado and Arkansas followed, then back to California; in 2015, at South Carolina’s Bob Jones University, we registered 569 competitors from 29 states.

Along the way, we experienced huddling in Arkansas tornado shelters and adjusting to California wildfires, but God opened doors and Stoa leadership helped pave the way to provide an annual national tournament for our Stoa families. In 2023, we continue to provide opportunities for students to grow so that they may “speak boldly and change the world for Christ.” Learn more through our Stoa timeline: https://stoausa.org/stoa-timeline/.

Stoa Fun Fact: San Diego NITOC 2014 was held at three different locations during the competition week due to wildfires. With each move, student and judge areas as well as tabulation had to be set up and ready to roll by the start of the scheduled tournament day! Praise God for His abundant and miraculous provision!