The NCAA has selected Short's Travel Management of Overland Park to provide its travel services for the next several years.

The contract, which is for three years with an option to extend it two more years, will take effect September 1.

Short's Travel will add about 25 employees as a result of the deal, most of whom will be on site at the NCAA's headquarters in Indianapolis. However, five to ten employees could be added locally because the contract will be managed from Overland Park, said Mike McGarry, vice president of information services for Short's Travel.

McGarry declined to disclose how much in annual revenue the NCAA contract will provide to the travel agency. However, the NCAA said it and its member institutions annually spend about $32 million in travel expenses related to staff movement, conferences and conventions, and championship tournaments.

“We are extremely excited to be chosen to partner with the NCAA and are invigorated by this opportunity,” said Camille Hogan, chief executive officer of Short's Travel. “Our entire organization looks forward to providing exceptional service in helping the NCAA and its member colleges and universities with their varied travel needs.”

The NCAA considered the top 50 travel management firms nationwide before eight submitted bids in January. Most of the bidders were bigger than Short's Travel, McGarry said, including WorldTek Travel, the NCAA's previous travel agency.

“It's kind of a big win for Short's Travel,” he said. “I'm sure we would have been considered the Cinderella among the competitors.”

Short's Travel also has a home office in Waterloo, Iowa. Its Overland Park office, where about 65 employees are based, formerly was known as Passport Travel.