DIVISION III PRESIDENTS QUARTERLY UPDATE - AUGUST 2023

I am Jim Schmidt, chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and chair of the Division III Presidents Council. There is excitement in the air and renewed energy on campuses as our fall sport student-athletes return for practice. It is a reminder that the rest of the student body and our faculty are right behind them. It is doubly special this year, as we are also celebrating the 50th anniversary of NCAA Division III.  I invite you to take a moment of reflection and appreciation for the many ways our student-athletes shape and enhance our college communities. I hope you will also express your gratitude for all the coaches, athletics staff, trainers, medical professionals, and faculty representatives who collaborate to provide the collegiate athletics experience. The positive, nurturing environment they create for our student-athletes is essential and much appreciated.

This quarterly update features highlights from the August 2023 Presidents Council meeting. Proposed legislation to update and refresh the Division III Philosophy Statement was among the items we considered. We also heard directly from President Baker on our support for federal legislation to protect the student-athlete experience. I hope you will review the details of this report and continue these discussions with your athletics staff and conference presidential colleagues.

After over a year of work and significant membership feedback, the council approved to sponsor legislation that revises the Division III Philosophy Statement. The revised statement better reflects the division’s unique values and position in today’s intercollegiate athletics landscape. It also considers the elements already contained in the NCAA Constitution while articulating the division’s fundamental principles. Finally, it will serve as the foundation for future governance committee discussions and legislation. 

The council discussed name, image, and likeness legislation in conjunction with the Association’s efforts to work with Congress to establish consumer protections such as a public registry of deals, agent registration and certification, and financial literacy. It also noted the recent introduction of bipartisan congressional draft legislation, and discussed the importance of the membership continuing to communicate and inform their members of Congress as to why these issues matter and why they should partner with the NCAA to address the threats facing college sports. Institutions and conferences may use this existing toolkit  to assist in their mobilization efforts and congressional engagement. The Division III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee also sent a letter to congress noting its concerns with the varying NIL state laws and the potential for classifying student-athletes as institutional employees. 

Throughout history, sports have broken barriers for inclusion. As Division III begins a year-long celebration of its 50th anniversary, the Presidents Council reaffirmed the importance of inclusion and belonging within the division. Click here for the statement.

As the division enters the last year of its current budget cycle, the council approved the division’s strategic priorities for 2023-24. This coming year is a budget planning year for the division’s new budget cycle that will run from FY25 to FY27. In FY25, the division will receive an approximate 13% revenue increase. The council also discussed the NCAA Board of Governor’s action to approve post-eligibility injury insurance for all student-athletes, effective Aug. 1, 2024, and the NCAA business review and how it impacts Division III.

The council elected Jim Troha, president at Juniata, as chair and Joanne Berger-Sweeney, president at Trinity (Connecticut), as vice chair, effective with the close of the 2024 NCAA Convention. Additionally, Maine-Presque Isle President Raymond Rice was approved to fill an immediate appointment. Click here for the council roster.

It is my intent that the quarterly update provides the necessary and critical information to assist you in the oversight of Division III athletics on your campus. You can find a full recap of the August Presidents Council meeting here and the Summary of Actions, which highlights all recent council actions. As always, I welcome any comments or questions.