History
The Central Intercollegiate Conference began holding a cross-country meet in 1926. During the 1930s, it virtually turned into a national event and the widespread interest spurred the NCAA to inaugurate its first National Cross-Country Championships in 1938.
Michigan State University hosted that meet in East Lansing, Michigan, and continued to host it through 1964. Since then, a different site has been chosen each year by an NCAA committee.
The winning team receives the Earle C. "Billy" Hayes Trophy, established in 1945 and named for Indiana University's long-time coach, a founder of the U. S. Cross Country Coaches Association.
Wheaton College in Illinois hosted the first Division II cross-country meet in 1958 and continued as host through 1973.
When the NCAA went to a three-division setup in 1973, the Division III cross-country championship was added. The event was hosted by Wheaton that year, along with the Division II championship.
Beginning in 1974, the Division II and Division III championship meets have been held separately, with a different host each year.