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, Oct. 24 Budget enhancement survey. The committee finalized a survey that it will send to director of athletics and commissioners in early November. The survey will seek feedback on previously identified budget enhancements as well as championships principles (e.g., length of championships, bracket maximums and bracket composition). The survey results will help inform the committee as it prepares budget recommendations for 2024-26 as well as lay the foundation for future budget enhancements.
Cross country regional site. The committee approved a recommendation to move the Men’s and Women’s Cross Country East Regional to Franklin Pierce University due to a scheduling conflict with the original site.
Presidents Advisory Group, Oct. 24 Agenda. The presidents and chancellors discussed the 2024 legislative proposals, received an update from President Charlie Baker as well as participated in a roundtable discussion on membership identified threats and concerns.
Sport Science Institute updates. The PAG engaged with Dr. Hainline, NCAA chief medical officer, and received the following updates:
CSMAS supported the recommended changes to the mental health best practices document proposed by the Mental Health Advisory Group. The document is being socialized and reviewed for feedback. Anticipate the BOG will approve in January 2024.
CSMAS is recommending removing cannabinoids from the list of banned drug classes. Management Council will consider the recommendation in January 2024.
CSMAS approved recommended updates from the Concussion Safety Advisory group to the Concussion Safety Protocol Checklist. Changes will be effective in January 2024.
Presidents Council, Oct. 25 Financial and Risk Management Working Group. The council approved 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 includes strengthening overall financial performance, improving revenue growth, identifying financial priorities and threats, providing recommendations and more. The working group anticipates hiring the firm by December and providing an update to the membership during the Division III Issues Forum at the 2024 NCAA Convention.
Council nominations. The council approved several nominations to join the council effective with the close of the 2024 NCAA Convention. Per NCAA bylaws, an electronic ballot will be sent to all Division III presidents and chancellors to review and approve the nominations.
Athletic Training Working Group. The council received an update on the working group’s efforts to date, including the status of a membership survey sent to Division III athletics directors and head athletics trainers.
Financial and Risk Management Working Group, Oct. 25 Financial updates. The working group strategically reviewed the division’s current budget and future forecast.
Third-party review. The working group finalized its Request for Proposal (RFP), interview questions and selection timeline. It also outlined its update for the membership during the 2024 convention.
Athletic Trainer Working Group, Oct. 31 Survey results. The working group reviewed the initial results from a membership survey that was sent to Division III athletic directors and head athletic trainers. It also began to discuss the framework for a roundtable discussion to be held at the Division III Issues Forum during the 2024 Convention
Upcoming Meetings and Anticipated Discussions.
Interpretations and Legislation Committee, Nov. 8 2024 Convention legislation question and answer review. The committee will review a revised draft of the question-and-answer document for the 2024 Convention.
Name Image and Likeness. The committee will review recent Division I NIL proposals regarding student-athlete protections.
Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Nov. 12-13 2024 NCAA Convention legislation. SAAC will provide feedback from legislation discussions with their conference SAACs. The committee will take the official National SAAC positions on the Division III proposals and prepare position papers.
Election of officers and committee positions. During the meeting, elections for chair, vice chair and communications director will take place. There also will be elections for various Division III and Associate-wide committee positions.
SAAC Working Groups and convention planning. The committee will develop plans to execute its 2023-24 working groups – Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice and Mental and Physical Health. SAAC also will focus on 2024 NCAA Convention planning surrounding the joint breakfast with Management and Presidents Councils, Division III Student-Athlete Luncheon, Special Olympics Unified Sports Activity, and the SAAC sponsored Division III Student Social Mixer.
Strategic Planning and Finance Committee, Nov. 15 Budget. The committee will review the current budget to actual and future forecast. It will discuss potential limited-time Enrichment Fund spends and receive an update on potential championships budget enhancements for FY25 and FY26.
Branding and marketing. The committee will discuss ways to enhance and promote the Division III brand.
Post graduation injury insurance. The committee will receive an update on the newly approved post-graduation injury insurance that goes into effect for all three divisions on Aug. 1, 2024.
Financial Aid Committee, Nov. 15-16 Level I Reviews. The committee will conduct reviews of 30 institutions that met one or more of the prescribed criteria and determine if additional information is needed.
Membership Committee, Nov. 16 Review of the New Member Process. The committee will continue a review of the New Member Process seeking to align it with the new rule requiring conference membership prior to starting the provisional or reclassifying process.
Convention Planning Subcommittee, Nov. 17 Convention Schedule. The subcommittee will review the current convention schedule and the programing for Division III. The subcommittee also will discuss the involvement and communication with affiliated groups and the Division III governance committees.
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.
