MAIN held its first competitive season in the winter of 1996. The association was formed by a group of guard directors and instructors concerned with the future of the activity. MAIN looked to be the first colorguard association in this area run by the guards themselves, as opposed to a judging association, as was being done in other parts of the country, Ten shows were held that season, the association had thirty-eight member units and thirty-two units performed at Championships. Our membership included guards from New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.
Over the years the association has continued to grow and face new challenges. During the 2014 season we hosted twenty-two shows, had sixty-two member units with fifty-four units performing at Championships. We have had membership from units in five states.
The association continues to be run, as it has from the start, by a group of volunteers, elected to an executive board.
All rules and practices of the association are decided by a vote of the membership. We pride ourselves on being an association run “by the guards, for the guards.”