The NCAA Division III staff has created this bi-weekly communication for the Division III membership to provide up-to-date communications on recent Division III governance meeting discussions and outcomes. Please share this communication with your campus and conference colleagues.
Recent Governance Meetings - Key Discussions and Outcomes.
Management Council, Oct. 16-17 Hardship waiver for mental health. The council approved a recommendation for a two-year pilot (2023-24 and 2024-25) to permit contemporaneous or noncontemporaneous medical documentation to support the request for a hardship waiver based on a student-athlete’s mental health. Information gathered during the two-year pilot will be evaluated to determine any future legislative changes.
Cannabinoids. The council discuss an anticipated legislated proposal from the NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sport to remove cannabinoids from the list of NCAA banned drug classes and develop robust educational materials. The council will discuss and possibly act during its January meeting.
Committee on Women’s Athletics. The council received an update on the status of a national collegiate championship for the sport of women’s wrestling. In 2022-23, 41 institutions across the three divisions fully sponsored women’s wrestling, and consequently, it is anticipated that CWA will recommend that each division consider a 2025 legislative proposal to add women’s wrestling as a national collegiate championship. If adopted, the first championship would be in winter of 2026.
Convention legislation. The council reviewed the 2024 convention legislation and took a position support on the membership sponsored proposal to amend the Amendment-to-Amendment deadline.
Officiating and sportsmanship. The council discussed the ongoing efforts to address the declining pool of officials and the connection to poor sportsmanship (e.g., research shows that 55% of officials leave the profession due to verbal abuse by coaches, parents, and spectators). The council also reviewed and provided feedback on a proposed strategic plan to help increase awareness and use of resources for sportsmanship (e.g., GameDay the DIII Way).
Eligibility Center. The council received an update regarding the amateurism certification process for Division III international prospective student-athletes. To date, the Eligibility Center has certified approximately 1,500 Division III international student-athletes.
Membership Committee, Oct. 19 Sports sponsorship waivers. The committee considered two sports sponsorship waiver requests.
Upcoming Meetings and Anticipated Discussions.
Championships Committee, Oct. 24 Budget enhancement survey. The committee will finalize a survey that it will send to director of athletics and commissioners in late October/early November. The committee believes the feedback is not only critical to the current budget planning discussion (2024-26) but will also lay the foundation for future budget enhancements.
Presidents Advisory Group, Oct. 24 Agenda. The presidents and chancellors will receive an overview of the 2024 legislative proposals, engage with Dr. Hainline, chief medical officer, and President Charlie Baker as well as participate in a roundtable discussion on membership identified threats and concerns.
Presidents Council, Oct. 25 Financial and Risk Management Working Group. The council will consider a recommendation from the Financial and Risk Management Working Group to hire an outside vendor to conduct a financial analysis of the division. The scope would include strengthening overall financial performance, improving revenue growth, identifying financial priorities and threats, providing recommendations and more.
Council nominations. The council will consider five nominations to join the council effective with the close of the 2024 NCAA Convention.
Athletic Training Working Group. The council will receive an update on the working group’s work to date, including the status of a membership survey for Division III athletics directors and head athletics trainers.
Financial and Risk Management Working Group, Oct. 25 Financial updates. The working group will receive an update on the division’s current budget and future forecast.
Third-party review. The working group will continue to review its proposed Request for Proposal (RFP), interview and selection timelines.
Athletic Trainer Working Group, Oct. 31 Survey results. The working group will review the initial results from a membership survey that was provided to Division III athletic directors and head athletic trainers. It also will determine next steps.
Resources
Management Council conference contact program. As part of the council’s responsibilities, each member is a liaison to several conferences. The council members are available to attend conference meetings to provide updates from the Management Council and seek feedback. Click here for more information.
With every communication, we also anticipate additional questions. Please send all questions to DIIIGovernance@ncaa.org. Thank you for your continued collaboration and leadership.
This email was sent to NCAA Division III commissioners, directors of athletics and the NADIIIAA executive board based on contact information in the NCAA Directory.
