NBA - Natural Bodybuilder's Association 1977-1983

 

Chet Yorton, disgusted with the proliferation of steroids in bodybuilding, became interested in holding events for drug-free competitors and formed the Natural Bodybuilder's Association (NBA) in 1977. The first show, the NBA Mr. Nevada Physique Championship, took place June 11, 1977 at the Tropicana Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nev. With the assistance of Pharmacologist Jack Hack, a blood testing procedure for screening for the use of steroids was put in place starting with the 2nd NBA show, which was held March 4-5, 1978 and was called the NBA American Natural Physique Championship (also known as the NBA Natural Mr. America). The title of Natural Ms. America was added in 1980. NBA contests were held in a number of geographical locations including CA, MN, MO, ND, NV, OH, PA and WA.

Yorton, along with Mike Dayton, started a magazine titled Natural Bodybuilding. October 1981 was the first issue of the publication. Yorton served as Executive Editor for the first two issues. The publication included many articles focusing on natural bodybuilding, and included NBA contest coverage and listings. Yorton’s involvement, both in producing shows in the western region of the United States, as well as in the magazine, seemed to fizzle out after 1981. By the April 1982 issue of Natural Bodybuilding, the NBA seemed to have been reduced to shows in the PA area only. Those events were put on by what became known as the Eastern Region NBA, which was headed in large part by Cam Sciotti. By the end of 1983, even the Eastern Region NBA’s existence ceased, and the NBA was no more.

click the covers for enlarged views

Oct 1981	Dec 1981	Apr 1982	Jun 1982	Dec 1982	Feb 1983	Apr 1983

As for Natural Bodybuilding magazine, its content seemed to focus on natural bodybuilding less and less with the passing of time. From the fourth issue on (after Herman P. Lewis, Jr. took over as publisher), NBA contest coverage and contest listings no longer appeared. The seventh and final issue featured coverage of the 1983 International Federation of Body Builders (IFBB) Mr. Olympia contest, and was clearly no longer a publication for natural bodybuilding.

Statements made in this article have been based in part on information printed in Muscle Training Illustrated (Oct. 1978), and Natural Bodybuilding (Oct. 1981 & Dec, 1981).

NBA Natural Mr./Ms. America click on images for enlarged view
Year	Male Winner		Female Winner		Male Pro Winner
1983		John Moore		Was not offered		Was not offered
1982		Mike Ashley		Was not offered		Was not offered
1981		Eddie Love		Heidi Miller		Was not offered
1980		Chuck Buser		Kathleen Casentino		Rod Koontz
1979		Ron Magnum		Was not offered		Tyrone Youngs
1978		Tyrone Youngs		Was not offered		Dennis Tinerino