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.

Championships Committee, Nov. 21
Budget enhancements. The committee received an update on the recent membership survey results related to championships budget enhancements and guiding principles. The survey closed Nov.17, with all conference commissioners responding along with 188 athletics directors.

Selection criteria database. The committee reviewed a draft Q&A that will be distributed to the membership regarding a proposed selection criteria database (e.g., Pairwise). Education regarding the database will continue at coaches association conventions held in December and January and fall sport committees will be provided sample brackets from the database at their annual meetings in January and February based on the 2023 season for the sport committees to compare with the committee’s selected brackets.

Athletic Trainer Working Group, Nov. 27
Athletic trainer survey results. The working group continued its discussion of the survey results of Division III head athletic trainers and athletics directors. It also continued its content development for the membership’s discussion of this topic at the upcoming Division III Issues Forum at the 2024 NCAA Convention.

FAR Advisory Group, Nov. 28
2024 legislative proposals. The group reviewed the positions taken by the Division III Faculty Athletics Representatives Association (FARA) on Division III proposed legislation. The Division III FARA supported the four proposals and took a position of opposition to the two Philosophy Statement amendments.

Membership Committee, Nov. 30
Waiver. The committee heard an athletics consortium waiver request.

Upcoming Meetings and Anticipated Discussions.

Financial and Risk Management Working Group, Dec. 4
Financial analysis. The working group will prepare for the company interviews scheduled for Dec. 5-7 to select an outside vendor to conduct a financial analysis of the division. The review’ scope will include a review and strategic recommendations of these core areas:
  1. Strengthening the division’s overall financial performance.
  2. Improving revenue growth. (e.g., regional, and national championships).
  3. Identification of financial priorities within the current structure.
  4. Identification of financial threats (e.g., expenses/revenue, health and safety, legal and state decisions).
  5. Structure options and risk mitigation to address significant Association monetary loss.
Championships Committee, Dec. 12
Budget enhancements. The committee, which will review the survey results in detail and will use this feedback to help inform final budget recommendations during its February meeting.

Convention Planning Subcommittee, Dec. 12
2024 Convention sessions. The subcommittee will review final schedules and sessions agendas. The subcommittee also will provide feedback on the membership discussion topics selected for the Issues Forum.

Athletic Trainer Working Group, Dec. 15
Survey results. The working group will review and provide feedback on an executive summary of the survey results it sent to Division III athletic trainers and directors of athletics. The working group also will finalize its presentation and discussion topics for the 2024 Convention Issues Forum.

Reminders.

NEW: In-region waiver deadlines. Effective August 1, 2023, the deadlines to submit in-region waiver requests has been amended to the following dates:
  • Fall: March 1, 2024.
  • Winter: May 1, 2024.
  • Spring: July 1, 2024.
Information for institutions seeking a waiver to the in-region competition requirement for the 2024-25 academic year is now available. Note that additional documentation is now required to support the waiver request and details are included in the posted memo.

Championships ground transportation reimbursement. NCAA travel policy reimburses a flat $1,500 bus allotment per day to cover the cost of ground transportation. However, institutions may submit receipts to receive a full reimbursement up to actuals for ground transportation. Receipts should be submitted in TES when requesting reimbursement. TES can be accessed via NCAA Apps or travel.ncaa.org. Additional assistance is also available at travel@ncaa.org or 317-917-6757.
 
 
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.