DIVISION III PRESIDENTS QUARTERLY UPDATE - MAY 2026

I send warmest wishes to Division III membership colleagues for a smooth and celebratory close to your respective spring semesters. This issue of the Quarterly Update offers the latest information regarding an abundance of important topics for our division, and I encourage you to review and discuss them with your presidential colleagues, athletics direct reports, and commissioners

The Division III Analysis Working Group has been busy, working closely with the consultants to move the analysis forward. During its April 29 meeting, the Presidents Council, the governance body with oversight responsibility, received a high-level summary from the consultants on initial stakeholder feedback and data findings highlighting key tensions across the division. The update outlined major areas of focus, including economic implications, playing seasons and resource allocation, eligibility considerations, governance structure and presidential engagement, championships selection criteria, and membership standards. These insights remain preliminary and will continue to evolve as the working group and consultants conduct additional stakeholder engagements, analyze research and survey data. I encourage continued use of the Division III analysis webpage as a central resource to stay informed as this work progresses, and further updates are made available. The Presidents Council will begin to receive initial recommendations for actionable solutions to the identified tensions by its early August meeting.

The Presidents Council approved the recommendation from National SAAC regarding the Division III graduated student-athlete representative to the NCAA Board of Governors. Pending approval from the Board, the selected representative will begin a two-year term in August 2026.

The Presidents Council reviewed the results of an Association-wide prioritization spending survey that was sent to the membership in early February. The survey results provided insight into how members prioritize Association-wide programs and services, which will inform future planning and resource allocation. The council identified services and programs that should continue at current funding levels, as well as those that should continue but with potential budget reductions. The council’s recommendations will be shared with the Board of Governors Finance and Audit Committee.

The Presidents Council approved the approach recommended by the Division III Management Council to review Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) activity within Division III. The approach establishes a dedicated working group comprised of Division III members with direct NIL experience. This group will examine current NIL activity across the division, monitor emerging trends, and offer informed guidance to help shape future discussions. The working group will support the division’s ongoing evaluation of NIL-related issues, including considerations of appropriate structure and oversight, and will be informed by the Division III NIL Analysis.

The Presidents Council endorsed, in concept, an initiative to enhance engagement and education with campus senior leaders, including presidents, chancellors, and athletics direct reports. This initiative is intended to provide opportunities for open forum strategic discussions, strengthen understanding of Division III governance priorities and foster more consistent and meaningful communication across institutional leadership. It also reflects a commitment to ensure senior leaders are appropriately informed and engaged in key issues impacting the division, while supporting a more connected and collaborative approach to Division III leadership and decision-making.

The Presidents Council received an update from the Management Council that it has approved the continuation of the division’s eligibility waiver program. The waiver created by the Division III governance structure began in August of 2025 to permit Division III student-athletes to continue participating with their institution while enrolled in another institution, under specific conditions. As a pilot, the council will receive annual updates of the waiver outcomes to ensure it is achieving the desired intent of benefiting student-athletes. In 2025-26, there were five waiver requests.

CONCLUSION