When Art Bergstrom joined the NCAA staff in 1956, there were only six full-time people employed in the national office.

They toiled without air conditioning and also without open windows because of the traffic fumes that infiltrated their urban office in Kansas City, Missouri.

Those early NCAA employees also toiled in what was the predecessor to today's "open-office environment." The national office was divided into two large office spaces -- one for the executive director, Walter Byers, and one for the other five employees to share.

As the Association's first full-time enforcement officer, Bergstrom wasn't bothered by the cramped quarters. Most of his business was done either in writing or in person.

He oversaw two part-time investigators and spent much of his time visiting campuses.

"I traveled all the time," he said. "My job was to go out and get information and then present it to the infractions committee, which met three times a year. I met with the committee and tried to answer any questions they might have."

One significant challenge that impacted early enforcement efforts was the lack of technology. Bergstrom noted there were no electronic typewriters and no copy machines. He recalls that it took one secretary, working full-time, just to keep up.

"She would type all day just as fast as she could go, and she would have just as many carbons in there as the typewriter could take," he said. "It was just a tremendous amount of work."

Just as the working conditions were a sign of the times, the nature of the infractions were a sign of the times as well.

"This was before television (was commonplace). The primary violations then involved out-of-season practices and tryouts, especially in football," Bergstrom said.

The abuses were such that the membership accepted the work of the enforcement program, perhaps with more open arms than today, Bergstrom said.

"Several boys were hurt in those tryouts. They'd be brought in on a Saturday and taken to a spot off campus for a tryout. They'd work them until they could hardly move, and then send them home on the train if they didn't make it. Sometimes they left with injuries, and sometimes they left with permanent injuries," Bergstrom said. "That's what started the enforcement program."

The membership felt the program was necessary when it voted for it at the 1952 NCAA Convention.

"The membership devised and set up the infractions program. People felt it was important," Bergstrom said. "They accepted it and thought it was something necessary. Most of (athletics administrators at the time) would cooperate (during investigations), though some wouldn't."

And making an appearance before the NCAA infractions committee, a three-man group that, as Bergstrom recalled served virtually unlimited terms, was a nerve-wracking proposition.

As it became easier to travel long distances and more sports found their way onto television, the temptations were different, Bergstrom said.

"The problems became more severe because (an institution) could then transport kids across the nation," he said. "Until then, it was too much effort to bring them in from all across the country. You might bring them in from your area or region, but not across country."

Bergstrom, who had spent more than seven years as the athletics director at Bradley University, spent 15 years as an NCAA enforcement representative. He then became the NCAA controller, a position that put him in charge of personnel and national office operations. He served in that capacity, overseeing the NCAA move to Mission, Kansas, until 1976.

"It was very interesting to see the way the Association grew and also how the importance of the enforcement staff grew," he said.

Now 95 years old, Bergstrom and his wife of 70 years, Eva, reside in a retirement community, though Bergstrom still considers himself pretty spry for someone only five years short of the century mark.

As he looks back on the history of the NCAA, Bergstrom credits Walter Byers with the growth and success of the Association.

"In my opinion, had Walter Byers gone into industry, he would have been the top man in all of industry. He was a brilliant fellow who had the faculty of looking down the road and seeing what's coming up and being ready for it." Bergstrom said. "In my opinion, he was instrumental in getting the Association started and putting it into real good shape for the future."