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.
Nominating Committee, Feb. 5. Governance, sport and playing rules committee appointments. The committee identified individuals to serve on several governance, playing rules and sport committees. Interested in serving on an NCAA Division III committee? Check out the current openings and click here for the nomination form.
Presidents and Management Council rotation. With the adoption of Proposal 2023-7, effective Aug. 1, conferences will have one representative on either the Presidents or Management Council. The committee reviewed and identified a proposed rotation concept. The committee will finalize its decision and forward a recommendation to the Management Council to review in April. A final rotation will be established by May 1 and solicitation will begin to fill new council openings effective Aug. 1.
Championships Committee, Feb. 5-6 Budget enhancements. The committee identified the following recommendations regarding budget enhancements for FY25 and FY26.
Enhance the football bracket to 40 teams. It is requesting the Management Council amend via an administrative regulation to NCAA Bylaw 31.3.1.1.1 effective with the 2024 season.
Combine Pools B and C into one group of teams eligible for at-large selection in team sports. It is requesting the Management Council amend via an administrative regulation to NCAA Bylaw 31.3.1.1 effective with the 2024-25 academic year.
Increase per diem by $10 for travel parties in FY25 and by $5 each year thereafter (FY26 to FY28). The committee also supported an increase to host per diem by $5 effective with the next budget cycle (i.e., FY27). Once finalized, the committee will forward to the Strategic Planning and Finance Committee to consider during its March meeting.
The committee discussed increasing championships access by adjusting the current 1:6.5 access ratio to 1:6 in team sports while maintaining the bracket cap at 64 teams and not extending any championship, except football, beyond three weeks. It also discussed the access ratios for individual/team sports and is considering a ratio of 1:7. The committee requested additional financial analysis prior to it making a final recommendation to SPFC.
The committee discussed providing sport committees the flexibility to protect highly ranked teams within a region while acknowledging the challenges with the division’s philosophy and budget. It requested additional analysis and feedback from sport committees to identify the sports in which these issues most frequently occur. The committee will continue to discuss this priority during its March videoconference.
Selection criteria database. The committee is waiting for additional sport committee feedback prior to making its final recommendation regarding the use of a selection criteria database for all team sports. If the committee moves to recommend the selection criteria database, it will recommend the Management Council approve an administrative regulation to change the current legislated criteria. The committee also stressed that sport committees should understand that if the database is adopted, the window for making selection criteria adjustments would be periodic (i.e., every two or three years) rather than annual, and that those adjustments would need to be approved by the Championships Committee. Click here for the FAQ and an educational webinar held this fall for sport committee chairs.
Championships webstreaming enhancements. The committee expressed a desire to explore production of additional rounds (e.g., quarterfinals) of select championships at a future meeting.
Women’s ice hockey. After reviewing additional membership feedback, the committee approved a recommendation to alter the date formula to align the women’s championship date formula with the men’s ice hockey championship for all rounds including moving the first-round contests to the Saturday following selections; quarterfinals the following Saturday and the championship to the fourth weekend in March, starting with the 2025 championship.
Softball. After reviewing additional membership feedback, the committee approved the recommendation from the Division III Softball Committee to conduct the super regionals on Thursday/Friday rather than the current Friday/Saturday format. The proposed change allows an additional travel day leading up to the championship, which the softball committee believes is crucial since a day of rest was added to the finals site.
Sport committee reports. For the following recommendations, the committee supported the recommendation, in concept, but due to the budget impact it agreed to table it pending further review of items for the next budget cycle during its March videoconference.
Men’s golf. The committee reviewed a recommendation to increase the number of selected individual participants, dependent on the number of selected teams, to eliminate twosomes in the field and to improve scheduling efficiency.
Men’s and women’s tennis. The committee reviewed a recommendation to remove the day off (currently the practice day for individual competition) between the team finals and start of the individual competition, and to have the individual competition take place over four days as opposed to three. Practice for the individual qualifiers would take place on the day of the team championships.
Wrestling. The committee reviewed a recommendation to increase the field size from 180 to 210 student-athletes and increase the national qualifying competition regionals from six to seven.
Interpretations and Legislation Committee, Feb. 7 and 9 Name, image, and likeness. The committee reviewed legislation adopted by Division I providing student-athletes name, image and likeness resources. The committee is recommending Division III adopt similar legislation as follows: (1) establish a voluntary registry for professional service providers that student-athletes could access; (2) establish a comprehensive educational plan and resources to assist student-athletes navigating NIL opportunities; and (3) provide a bank of standard contract terms to inform student-athletes as they engage in NIL.
Transfer year in residence. The committee discussed the continued relevance of the year in residence requirement for transferring student-athletes. The committee will re-engage on this topic at its March meeting after other membership groups discuss.
Social media and voluntary out of season activities. The committee recommended non-controversial legislation allowing athletics staff to take actions of approval on social media created by enrolled student-athletes regarding their voluntary athletically related activities.
Seasons of participation. The committee is recommending non-controversial legislation codifying the current waiver criteria for graduate student-athletes that did not previously attend a Division III institution.
Division III legislative process. The committee agreed on several proposed changes to the legislative process that it would like to garner additional feedback. The proposed changes will be reviewed by Management Council during its April meeting, and discussed with several constituent groups. During the committee’s June meeting, it will consider the feedback and determine if it will recommend a legislative change.
Financial Aid Committee, Feb. 14 Level II Reviews. The committee conducted 15 Level II Reviews. It assessed the policies and procedures for administering the student financial aid program at each institution to ensure compliance with Bylaw 15 (Financial Aid). The committee took no further action on 12 cases, requested additional information from one and referred two cases to NCAA Enforcement.
Upcoming Meetings and Anticipated Discussions.
Athletic Trainer Working Group, Feb. 22 Convention feedback. The working group will examine feedback received during the Issues Forum roundtable discussions as well as feedback from the Division III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
LGBTQIA+ Working Group, Feb. 22 LGBTQ of the Year recognition program. The working group will discuss this year’s recognition ceremony and recommend changes, as needed. The 2024 LGBTQ of the Year Awards nomination application period is now open. For the award criteria, click here, and visit the NCAA Program Hub to submit nominations until June 1.
LGBTQ OneTeam program. The working group discussed next steps needed to update the OneTeam program inclusive of a facilitator training.
Management Council, Feb. 22 Strategic priorities. The council will identify key issues and strategic priorities for 2024.
2024 NCAA Convention. The council will provide feedback on this year’s convention.
Membership Committee, Feb. 26 and 29 Review of new member applications. The committee will consider Exploratory Year applications from three institutions and one application for Provisional Membership.
Membership requirement waivers. The committee will consider waiver requests from four institutions related to NCAA Convention attendance and sports sponsorship requirements.
Educational initiatives. The committee will discuss a potential recommendation to the Division III Strategic Planning and Finance Committee to consider continued funding of a livestream opportunity for Division III sessions at the NCAA Regional Rules Seminars.
Athletics Consortiums review. The committee will begin a review of the athletics consortium legislation to ensure it aligns with the current and future landscape of higher education.
Review of the Division III new member process. The committee will continue its review of the new member process and consider legislative and policy concepts to forward to the Division III Management Council. Particular attention will be given to the requirement for new members to complete an Exploratory Year.
Reminders
Division III Week. The annual Division III Week will be held April 1-7, 2024. Division III Week is a positive opportunity for all individuals associated with the division to observe and celebrate the impact of athletics and of student-athletes on the campus and surrounding community. During the week, every Division III school and conference office is encouraged to conduct a type of outreach activity that falls into one of three categories: academic accomplishment; athletic experience; or leadership/community service/campus involvement. For more information, click here for resources including a communications kit.
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.
