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.

PC Futures Subcommittee, Sept. 8
DIII Analysis. The subcommittee discussed the working group’s efforts to develop a case study that can be used to frame the discussion regarding the division’s current eligibility model versus an age-based model. The subcommittee also provided feedback on two options being sent to the full council for consideration: Model 2035 Membership and Extend the PC chair term.

Strategic talking points and future priorities. The subcommittee provided feedback on a resource that outlines talking points regarding the division’s FY27 strategic priorities and it began to identify future priorities (e.g., Model 2035 concept that includes a forward-looking analysis of how the Division III membership may change under different financial stress, demographic, or governance scenarios; broader presidential engagement; consistency in branding; and ensuring student-athletes are not campus employees). 

Strategic Planning and Finance Committee, Sept. 10
DIII Analysis. The committee discussed the working group’s recent efforts to create options to mitigate identified tensions. It also discussed two options forwarded by the working group: Division III Championships Production and Financing for Emerging Sport Championships. Regarding championships production, the committee discussed the pros and cons of paywalls and paid advertising for Division III championship livestreams. The committee also noted that it used the recommendations within the Emerging Sport Championships option as the division considered approving a Division III women’s wrestling championship. The committee affirmed its commitment to develop a financial plan, in advance, to inform membership decisions on establishing future Division III-specific championships. 

Strategic priorities. The committee reviewed two documents staff prepared that provide talking points regarding the division’s strategic priorities for 2026-27, highlighting current successes and future opportunities, and another that provides talking points regarding the benefits surrounding the Division III student-athlete experience. The committee provided supportive feedback on both documents, which the Management and Presidents Council will review during their October meetings and potentially approve for distribution to the membership in early November.

Division III Coaching Enhancement Grant. Per a request from the Coaching Enhancement Grant Selection Committee, the committee approved a policy change from the fixed amount of $7,500 per award to a flexible model with a range of $7,500 to $15,000 for grant recipients. Additionally, the committee approved the grants being allocated for enhanced positions (i.e., institutions could receive funding for both newly created coaching positions and enhanced coaching positions that increase the individual’s access to and effect on the student-athlete experience) rather than solely for new positions. 

Subcommittee for Legislative Relief, Sept. 11
Eligibility pilot program. The subcommittee approved two requests related to the Eligibility Pilot program. Documentation submitted by the institutions confirms the student-athletes meet NCAA eligibility requirements and all of the eligibility pilot program criteria, including the existence of a formal academic relationship with the non-NCAA institution.

Resource review. The committee approved updates to the previously approved waiver list, policies and procedures and the committee’s guidelines and directives. The updated documents will be posted to www.ncaa.org. The updated previously approved waiver list will also be posted in LSDBi.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Subcommittee, Sept. 15
Legislative landscape. The subcommittee received an update on proposed legislation for each division.

Opportunity and access programs and grants. The subcommittee received an update on the Opportunity Grants that open Sept. 28, discussed the Student Immersion Program applications, and the planning of future programming efforts. 

Nominating Committee, Sept. 16
Committee nominations. The committee was unable to get through its entire agenda and will meet next week to finish its review of nominees. Once finalized, recommendations will be forwarded to the appropriate governance committees for final approval.

Division III Analysis Working Group, Sept. 17
Case study. The working group finalized a case study regarding eligibility that will assist the membership in framing discussions related to the division’s current model versus an age-based model submitted as a 2027 convention proposal. The eligibility case study will be direct emailed to campus and conference constituents. 

The working group also reviewed a case study regarding Name, Image, and Likeness and will forward it to the Division III NIL Working Group.

Options. The working group will prioritize the options within its purview for further examination during its October in-person meeting.

---

Upcoming Meetings and Anticipated Discussions. 

Championships Committee, Sept. 20-22
Sport committee chairs’ meeting. The Championships Committee will host Division III sport committee chairs in Indianapolis for a two-day meeting. Sport committee chairs will provide highlights from the past year, note key items their sport committee is currently discussing and provide insight into what is on the horizon for their sport. The group will also discuss topics including championships bracketing policies, potential future budget enhancements, and areas where championships policy should be established so that all sports are operating in the same way versus championships areas where each sport committee should have flexibility to operate in a way that is best suited for their unique championship.

NCAA Power Index (NPI). The committee will review the proposed NPI dial changes that will be effective for the 2027-28 championships.

FAR Advisory Group, Sept. 21
Membership sponsored legislative proposals. The group will review the Age-Based Eligibility Model proposal. It will provide a recommendation to the Faculty Athletics Representatives Association (FARA), which will take a position on this proposal, and all legislative proposals at the November Annual Meeting.

FAR Institute. The Advisory Group will receive an update on the planning and preparation for the FAR Institute which will be held November 8-10 in conjunction with the FARA Annual Meeting in Indianapolis.

Interpretations and Legislation, Sept. 23-24
2027 NCAA Convention legislation. The committee will conduct its review of the slate of legislative proposals submitted ahead of the 2027 NCAA Convention. The review includes recommending positions on membership-sponsored proposals to the Division III Management Council, recommending a grouping and voting order to the Division III Joint Legislative Steering Subcommittee and beginning the creation of the annual question and answer document.

Housekeeping items. The committee will review the last twelve months of Request-Self Reports Online (RSRO) interpretive request data, including overall volume and most requested bylaws. Additionally, the committee will review the last six months of legislative proposals, educational columns, and official/staff interpretations from Divisions I and II to determine if any items are also of interest to the Division III membership.

Convention Planning, Sept. 28
Educational sessions. The subcommittee will review the content for the Division III and joint educational sessions.

Division III programming. The subcommittee will review the schedule for the Division III programming for the 2027 convention. The subcommittee also will review the draft agendas for the Division III Issues Forum and Business Session.

NIL Working Group, Sept. 29
Survey results. The working group will review response data, over 2,000, from a survey shared with administrators, coaches, and student-athletes across Division III to assess the state of NIL in the division. The results will dictate how the working group conducts its work over the next several monthly meetings.

NCAA convention. The working group will continue its preparation for a report-out to the Division III membership at the 2027 Issues Forum in Anaheim. 

Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Oct. 1
2027 NCAA Convention proposals. The committee will review the five legislative proposals in preparation for upcoming conference feedback sessions. Members also will receive a refresher on the committee’s legislative role and its responsibilities related to student-athlete education. 

Legislative feedback process. Committee members will be asked to present the proposals to their conferences, gather positions (support/oppose/abstain), and submit conference feedback by November 1.

---

Reminders. 

NCAA Fan Database. Administrators, coaches and fans are encouraged to sign up for the NCAA Fan Database. The Fan Database is the best way to receive championship ticket offers, live stream alerts and NCAA championship updates. All Division III championship live streams are promoted through the Fan Database. Share the signup link with colleagues, student-athletes, parents, and fans.