Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, NCR was created in 2007 by Chip Auscavitch and Steve Cohen to support and encourage the development and organization of small college rugby in the country.

In 2020, NSCRO re-branded as "National Collegiate Rugby" as the organization saw massive growth in competition with teams leaving their USA Rugby based leagues for the NCR.

The NCR runs the following national championship events for both men's and women's college rugby clubs in both 15s and 7s rugby: Prior to 2007, the men's Small College XVs national championship (Men's Champions Cup) was known as the East Coast Division III Collegiate Rugby Championships, and Men’s Division III National Championship until 2012.

In August 2012, NSCRO reclassified Division 3 as Small College Rugby, and since 2015 Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company is the main sponsor.

[1] Men's Challenge Cup was introduced in 2014 for colleges with developing clubs.