The American Cricket Council (ACC), headquartered in New Jersey with administrative offices at TV Asia (300 Fidelity Plaza, North Brunswick, NJ 08902), has announced a coordinated national initiative to develop cricket at the school and collegiate levels in the United States. The program includes the Cricket Hall of Fame (ChoF) Inter-School Championship, the Intercollegiate Super Cup, and a Super League tournament. Param Veers Sports Complex in Atlanta will serve as the principal competition venue and the year-round home of ACC events, as well as the USA Center for Excellence in cricket for players and a home for coaches training center.
Organizational Structure and Locations
ACC administration will operate from TV Asia offices in New Jersey. The Cricket Hall of Fame is based in Hartford, Connecticut, while Param Veers Sports Complex in Atlanta will host ACC’s national competitions and development activities. Leadership and operational staffing are expected to be in place within months and will draw heavily on recent graduates of U.S. colleges and universities who possess competitive cricket experience at national, regional, or representative levels.
Leadership and Partnerships
The initiative is supported by seasoned leaders in the cricket community. Dr. H. R. Shah (CEO & Chairman of TV Asia, recipient of the Padma Shri award) joins Mr. Michael Chambers (Executive Director & Founder, Cricket Hall of Fame) in supporting the program. Jayesh Patel, owner of Param Veers Sports Complex and Cricket Hall of Famer, and Jatin Patel, Director of the Cricket Hall of Fame and recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award, will provide program leadership. Jatin Patel will also lead ACF coaching and school/college cricket education. Ashok P. Patel, Cricket Hall of Famer and founder president of USA Cricket Academy, has announced his support for cricket education in schools and for advancing coach training at higher levels. Cricket show USA will be one of the media partners and many other organizations are expected to join.
Program Elements and Membership
The ACC initiative will introduce three membership categories: student-athletes, coaches/academies, and umpires. Coaches will function as local liaisons, with structured opportunities for remuneration tied to program responsibilities. A group of educators will address academic support and scholarship administration, while major financial resources are expected to come from sponsorships and commercial partnerships.
Intercollegiate Super Cup and Scholarship Program
The Intercollegiate Super Cup is targeted to launch in 2027 at Param Veers Sports Complex, with an initial field of at least 12 teams and the capacity to expand to 24 or more. Where individual schools lack standalone teams, combined regional teams will be accommodated to ensure broad participation. The ACC intends to offer a scholarship program for eligible college cricket players; scholarships will prioritize NCAA-eligible student-athletes at Division I, II and III institutions in the United States and Canada. Eligibility criteria will emphasize academic standing and active participation in college cricket. Preference in scholarship selection is expected to favor undergraduate students under the age of 25, although graduate students meeting criteria may also be eligible.
Eligibility, Scope, and Governance
Initially, scholarship eligibility will be limited to NCAA-affiliated institutions in the U.S. and Canada, with potential future expansion to include Caribbean institutions. The ACC program is designed to operate independently of established governing bodies and elected officials, following an organizational model analogous to college soccer: league and scholarship administration managed directly by the ACC and its partners ACEC for educational and scholastic needs.
Next Steps and Implementation
Administration and management teams will be assembled in the coming months. The ACC will finalize competition formats, membership processes, scholarship application and selection procedures, and coach education curricula. Funding strategies will focus on sponsorship development and commercial partnerships to sustain scholarships and program operations. Param Veers Sports Complex will host initial competitions and serve as the operational center for coaching education and player development.
Conclusion
This coordinated initiative aims to professionalize and expand cricket opportunities in U.S. schools and colleges, combining competitive events, coach education, and scholarship pathways to foster domestic talent and broaden access to higher education for cricket-playing students.