Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, April 14
Division III former student-athlete BOG representative. The committee made its recommendation to the Presidents Council for the next Division III former student-athlete to serve on the NCAA Board of Governors for a two-year term effective after the BOG’s August meeting. Click here to review the April 14 meeting summary.

Financial and Risk Management Working Group, April 15
Executive readout. The working group met with the Deloitte consultants and received an update on the analysis of Division III finances. Staff will schedule a series of webinars in mid to late May to provide the membership an opportunity to receive the update from the Deloitte consultants.

Management Council, April 16-17
Championships recommendations. The council approved, in concept, several recommendations from the Championships Committee.

Federated rules process. Nine months ago, Division III formally adopted a new process to consider and adopt federated playing rules. The process was based on three significant points of emphasis:

The council agreed to initiate a formal review of the federated playing rules process. The review will determine if the process is operating effectively and achieving the points of emphasis. After completing the review, the council will consider any needed changes at its summer meeting.

Women’s wrestling. The council agree, in concept, to sponsor 2025 convention legislation to add women’s wrestling as an NCAA national collegiate championship.

Graduate and postbaccalaureate student participation. The council approved, in concept, noncontroversial legislation that incorporates the existing graduate/postbaccalaureate student participation waiver directive into legislation. Specifically, a Division III institution will no longer have to file a waiver for graduates of a non-NCAA Division III institution to participate as graduate or postbaccalaureate students if they meet the following criteria: 1.) Graduated with an undergraduate degree within four academic years; 2.) Has seasons of participation remaining, as defined by Division III legislation; and 3.) Had no breaks in their enrollment.

Transfer regulations. The council provided feedback regarding the on-going review of the year in residence requirement for transfer student-athletes. The concepts will be socialized with the membership with opportunities to garner additional feedback (e.g., DIIICA and NADIIIAA meetings, Regional Rules Seminar). The council may receive a recommendation to sponsor 2025 Convention legislation during its summer meeting.

Division III legislative process. The council provided feedback on several proposed changes to the legislative process identified by ILC. The proposed changes will be socialized with the membership (e.g., DIIICA and NADIIIAA meetings, Regional Rules Seminar) with opportunities to garner additional feedback. The council may receive a recommendation to sponsor 2025 Convention legislation during its summer meeting.

Membership process. The council provided feedback on a concept from the Membership Committee to establish a waiver to shorten the NCAA reclassifying process from three to two years. The Membership Committee will garner membership feedback (e.g., Regional Rules Seminar, DIIICA and NADIIIAA meetings) and if supported, submit a recommendation to sponsor 2025 Convention legislation to the Management Council to consider during its summer meeting.

Division III new member process. The council approved, in concept, two noncontroversial recommendations from the Membership Committee: 1.) Moving the application date from Jan. 15 to Feb. 1; and 2.) The criteria to waive the exploratory year will be incorporated into the standard for application for provisional membership. An exploratory year will be required for applicant institutions that do not meet the standard.

Athletics consortium. The council received an update regarding the Membership Committee’s current review of the division’s athletics consortium legislation.

Name, image, and likeness. The council approved, in concept, noncontroversial legislation to establish resources for student-athletes engaging in name, image and likeness activities. These resources would include voluntary service provider registration for NIL service providers, such as agents or financial advisors. In addition, the NCAA will manage a comprehensive educational program focusing on areas of interest, such as contract best practices and standardized terms, taxes, and brand management. This will go into effect Aug. 1.

Use of season during temporary certification period. The council approved, in concept, noncontroversial legislation that permits international student-athletes in a temporary 45-day day certification period to practice without using a season of participation.

Social media and voluntary workouts. The council referred noncontroversial legislation back to ILC regarding the use of social media and voluntary workouts.

Athletic Trainer Working Group, April 18
Athletic trainer recommendations. The working group reviewed the feedback from the Division III Management Council regarding its initial set of recommendations and continued to refine its recommendations.

Membership Committee, April 18
Athletics consortium legislation. The committee continued its review of the athletics consortium legislation and related enrollment issues. The committee is recommending the formation of an advisory group to assist the committee’s review. The objective is to provide a 2025 Convention legislative proposal to Management Council for consideration during its summer meeting.

Championships Committee, April 23
Gender equity update. The committee received a gender equity review update.

Championships budget. At the request of the Strategic Planning and Finance Committee, the committee reviewed and provided feedback on a draft document of budgetary principles and guidelines. SPFC will review the feedback during its June meeting. Once finalized, these principles will be used to guide future budget discussions.

NCAA Power Index (NPI). The committee discussed policies related to NPI (e.g., the intervals at which changes can be recommended). The committee also reviewed an updated implementation timeline to include membership education opportunities.

Women’s golf. The committee approved a recommendation from the Women’s Golf Committee to cut after 36 holes of competition, instead of the current 54-hole cut, to a field size of 15 teams and six individuals after seeking membership feedback.

Higher ranked regional teams. The committee received an update that championship sport managers are evaluating prior championships brackets, and if warranted, recommending solutions to protect higher ranked regional teams in the early rounds of the bracketing process. If needed, budget recommendations would be given to SPFC to review during its June meeting.

Presidents Council, April 24
Presidents and Management Council rotation. The council approved a proposed council rotation recommended by the Nominating Committee and endorsed by the Management Council. The Nominating Committee will solicit nominations in early May to fill new council openings effective Aug. 1 per Proposal 2023-7 that legislates conferences will have one representative on either the Presidents or Management Council. Click here for the approved rotation and an FAQ.

Outside financial reviews. The Deloitte consultants provided an update on its review of the division’s finances. The Lewis Rice consultants provided an update on the evaluation of the Division III Enrichment Fund.

Division III former student-athlete BOG representative. The council approved SAAC’s recommendation of Greg Ricketts, former football student-athlete, Central College, American Rivers Conference, to serve as the next Division III former student-athlete on the NCAA Board of Governors. His term will begin with the close of the August BOG meeting.