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.
Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement, Aug. 14 Hardship waiver for mental health. The committee discussed the process for implementing a hardship waiver for mental health, and it will deliver a recommendation for Management Council’s review during its October meeting.
Championships Committee, Aug. 15 Spring championships recap. The committee reviewed the summary recaps of the 2023 NCAA Division III spring championships.
Sport committee recommendations. The committee continued its discussion to create a process for the sport committees to collect necessary information and feedback prior to the submission of recommendations that would impact the playing season (e.g., change the selection date or modify the length of the championship).
Women’s ice hockey. The committee approved a recommendation from the women’s ice hockey committee to conduct a pilot period beginning in 2025 and extending through the 2026-2028 host bid cycle in which two championship finals (2025 and 2027) are conducted at predetermined sites, including at least one year in the East region and at least one year in the West region. The committee discussed the gender equity implications as the Division III men’s ice hockey championship follows this format.
Softball. The committee approved a request from the softball committee to move the 2024 softball championship back to East Texas Baptist University. The softball committee learned that the original site would not be available and therefore needed to find a new site.
Membership Committee, Aug. 17 Sports sponsorship waivers. The committee considered waiver requests related to sports sponsorship contest and participant minimum requirements.
New member process. The committee discussed potential changes to the new member process given the new Division III requirement for institutions to have a bona fide offer of membership from a Division III multi-sport conference when applying for provisional or reclassifying membership.
Upcoming Meetings and Anticipated Discussions.
Presidents Advisory Group, Aug. 28 Orientation. The Division III staff will provide an orientation for the new and current Presidents Advisory Group members to assist in preparation for the group’s in-person meeting in late October.
Administrative Committee, Aug. 29 2024 proposed legislation. The committee will approve, in final format, legislation sponsored by the governance structure and receive an update on the membership sponsored proposal.
Resources
Sportsmanship module. The NCAA and Officially Human have partnered to develop Elevate Respect, a learning module to improve student-athlete, coach and fan behavior directed at officials. The course is available on the NCAA Learning Portal. To access the course, log in the Learning Portal on MyApps through NCAA.org. In the search feature, enter “Elevate Respect,” enroll in the course and begin learning. This course is a great opportunity to engage with student-athletes prior to the start of the season to emphasize positive sportsmanship and engagement with officials during competition. For more information about the Elevate Respect module please contact Ben Brownlee at bbrownlee@ncaa.org.
UPDATED: Annual list of required forms and actions. (Institutions) Click here for the 2023-24 annual list of required forms for institutions.
NEW: Annual list of required forms and actions. (Conferences) Click here for a new resource for conference offices that details the 2023-24 annual list of required forms.
Presidents Council statement on inclusion. 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.
50th anniversary. On Aug. 6, Division III kicked off a year-long celebration of its 50th anniversary. Throughout the year, the division will celebrate its milestones. Each campus and conference office also received a 50th anniversary kit in August.
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.
