| |
 |
|
|
DIII Newsletter
Smart Brevity® count: 5.5 mins...1486 words
👋 Welcome to the Division III August newsletter!
🚨 As a reminder:
Update the NCAA Directory
Report Catastrophic Injuries
NCAA Drug-Testing Update
Now onto the newsletter.
|
|
Check out upcoming programming for Division III administrators, athletics communicators and student-athletes:
-
What: This program supports the advancement of the next generation of athletics communication leaders in Division III. Participants will engage in interactive leadership sessions, team-management and collaboration exercises, and discussions on the evolving landscape of athletics communication.
-
When: Dec. 6-8 in Indianapolis.
➡️ Next steps: Commissioners, directors of athletics and senior woman administrators can make nominations in Program Hub by 5 p.m. Eastern time Sept. 16.
Questions? Contact Bryn Mangold.
-
What: Division III will provide funding for 20 new athletics direct reports (ADRs) to attend the program, including travel, hotel, registration, and meals, along with professional development and networking opportunities. It also will provide an NCAA Convention registration fee waiver for 20 experienced ADRs.
-
When: Jan. 13-15 in Anaheim, California, held in conjunction with the NCAA Convention.
➡️ Next steps: Commissioners, presidents/chancellors and directors of athletics can make nominations in Program Hub by 5 p.m. Eastern time Sept. 15.
Questions? Contact Eric Hartung.
-
What: Division III will provide funding for 30 students to gain an inside look at the division, connect with its members and engage with the governance process.
-
When: Jan. 12-15 in Anaheim, California, held in conjunction with the NCAA Convention.
➡️ Next steps: Commissioners and directors of athletics can make nominations in Program Hub by 5 p.m. Eastern time Sept. 16.
Questions? Contact Malik Henry.
💰 Show Me the Money
Looking for professional development and funding opportunities? Check out the chart outlining Division III grants and programs, along with application timelines and program benefits for 2026-27.
|
|
📈 Division III Analysis and Working Group
When: The working group’s next videoconference is in early August.
What: The working group will review feedback from the Division III Management and Presidents Councils regarding the 36 options it developed to mitigate the six identified tensions. Pending approval from the Presidents Council, it will refer almost 25 options to standing governance committees and the membership, as well as move select options to a “parking lot” for future discussion.
Framework change concepts: During its August meeting, the working group will review and update a case study regarding eligibility standards that will assist the membership in its discussions regarding the division’s current eligibility model and a 2027 Convention proposal that proposes an aged-based, five-year model. The case study will outline research, data and implications.
During future meetings, the working group will discuss additional case studies (e.g., name, image and likeness, membership segmentation and governance structure design). It also will review the options and case studies holistically to identify connections and opportunities that advance the division’s strategic vision of strengthening its core values and enhancing the student-athlete experience.
➡️ Next steps: After the working group’s August videoconference, it has a videoconference scheduled for September and an in-person meeting in October.
|
|
☑️ Attestation Period Approaching
The NCAA’s Campus Sexual Violence Policy requires all member schools to meet the policy’s six provisions each academic year (Aug. 1-July 31).
✅ International Athletics Certification
With the fall semester beginning soon, this is a great time to review the status of the international students that are activated in your Eligibility Center Membership Portal.
-
What’s Next: Ensure your incoming international recruits have created an Athletics Certification Account, responded to the sports participation questions, and requested final athletics certification.
-
Additionally, domestic students must create a Profile Page to obtain an NCAA ID and confirm it in the Eligibility Center portal.
Questions? Please use the ‘Contact Us’ button at the top of the Eligibility Center portal or reach out to ecinfo@ncaa.org or ec-international@ncaa.org.
💻 Eligibility Center Webpages
Following the ncaa.org relaunch, review the updated Division III Eligibility Requirements page and EligibilityCenter.org. Consider updating any bookmarks and linking both resources on your athletics department website.
|
|
✏️ Rule of the Month: The new compliance year starts Aug. 1!
Key reminders for 2026-27:
💬 2027 NCAA Convention Legislation — Available for Comment
Interested in providing feedback on Division III legislative proposals?
🚨 New Interpretation: Transfer Certification
In response to Division I’s adoption of the age-based eligibility model, the following interpretation has been issued to assist with the certification of transfer student-athletes.
The Management Council determined that Division III institutions shall apply Division III season-of-participation standards to transfer student-athletes’ participation at a division or association that does not recognize the use of a season.
📝 Division III Rules Test
The 2026-27 Division III Rules Test is live on the NCAA Learning Portal.
-
To access the exam, you must have an active NCAA MyApps account and be assigned NCAA Learning Portal access. Institutional email addresses are preferred, but not required, to create an account.
Questions about the Rules Test? Contact d3coachesexam@ncaa.org. Questions about the NCAA Learning Portal? Contact webhelpdesk@ncaa.org.
|
|
🎳 Women’s Bowling
🥎 Softball
-
Beginning Jan. 1, hard-material sideline and home run fences must be padded at all facilities hosting NCAA softball competition, including preseason tournaments, nonconference games, conference games and postseason games. Schools also should evaluate other fence types to determine whether padding is needed to help reduce player injuries.
|
|
🌟 USOPC/NCAA Para-College Inclusion Project activations
Since 2023, the USOPC and NCAA have teamed up for Para-College Inclusion Project events at various NCAA championships. The 2025-26 academic year included activations in tennis, swimming, basketball and outdoor track and field.
For more on the Para-College Inclusion Project or to explore Para sport, visit our website or contact Jean Merrill or Emily Brauer.
Does your school have student-athletes with a disability?
|
|
The Division III National Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) recently held its summer meeting and discussed several key initiatives for the upcoming year.
Key highlights:
-
National SAAC leaders from all divisions submitted a joint letter to the Senate Commerce Committee supporting the Protect College Sports Act and advocating for key student-athlete priorities.
-
SAAC approved its committee structure for 2026-27, including groups focused on enhancing student-athlete success and engagement through digital communications, developing a SAAC best practices guide, updating governing documents, and hosting a virtual town hall for student-athletes.
-
SAAC celebrated the division’s 15-year partnership with Special Olympics North America by teaming up with Special Olympics Indiana to host a Unified Sports activity at the NCAA Hall of Champions.
-
Follow DIII SAAC on Instagram for news, educational resources, and more.
👏 Meet Kaley McIntyre, the DIII Honda Athlete of the Year
The Collegiate Women Sports Awards recently announced its Honda Athletes of the Year, recognizing the nation’s top female collegiate student-athletes.
McIntyre grew from an underrecruited high school athlete into Division III’s most dominant swimmer, winning 15 national championships at New York University. Her secret? Having the courage to try new things.
|
|
💻 Webinars will be from 1:30 to 2 p.m. Eastern time on the following dates and topics:
-
Aug. 4 – Recap of Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Management Council and Presidents Council meetings.
-
Aug. 12 — Back to School... Compliance Style!
➡️ All past webinar PowerPoints are on the Division III webinar webpage.
📆 Key Dates — August through October
|
|
Thanks for reading!
This update is a tool to enhance communication between the NCAA national office and the Division III membership.
Please email DIIIGovernance@ncaa.org to include an item or share comments.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
