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.
Presidents Council, Aug. 2 Philosophy Statement. The councilvoted to sponsor 2024 NCAA Convention legislation to update the Division III Philosophy Statement.
2023-24 Strategic Plan. The council approved SPFC’s recommended 2023-24 strategic priorities. A PDF of the strategic priorities will be posted to the Division III governance homepage on ncaa.org no later than Sept. 1.
Financial and Risk Management Working Group. The council received an update on the recent meeting of the working group and anticipates a request to approve an outside third-party vendor to review the division’s financial strengths and opportunities during its October meeting.
Congressional engagement. The council discussed the Association’s strategy to engage congress and noted that recently, several senators have introduced bi-partisan draft legislation. The College Athletes Protection & Compensation Act puts in place NIL protections and offers several other provisions. This Yahoo article includes information about the draft legislation. The Protecting Athletes, Schools and Sports Act would similarly enhance student-athlete protections and improve transparency around NIL activity. Click here for a press release.
The council noted that while neither of these pieces of legislation contain everything the NCAA has been advocating for, particularly as it relates to the employment status of student-athletes, it is a good initial step in the right direction because there is bipartisan support, and the authors understand and care about the issues facing student-athletes, colleges, and universities.
The council also discussed the importance of the membership continuing to communicate and inform their members of Congress as to why these issues matter and why they should partner with the NCAA to address the threats facing college sports. Institutions and conferences may use this existing toolkit to assist in their mobilization efforts and congressional engagement.
NCAA State of Business Review. President Baker provided an update on the current business review being conducted by an outside consultant.
Postgraduate health insurance. The council learned that the NCAA Board of Governors approved the NCAA to offer member schools post-eligibility injury insurance coverage for student-athletes beginning Aug. 1, 2024. The coverage will be for two years after student-athletes complete their college athletics experience and will cover injuries that occur while playing for their school.
Gender equity assessment. The council received an update on the recent gender equity assessment.
Council leadership. The council elected Jim Troha, president, Juniata College as chair and Joanne Berger-Sweeney, president, Trinity College (CT) as its vice-chair effective with the close of the 2024 NCAA Convention through the 2025 NCAA Convention.
Upcoming Meetings and Anticipated Discussions.
Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement, Aug. 14 Hardship waiver for mental health. The committee will continue its discussion specific to the hardship waiver for mental health. It will forward a final recommendation to the Division III Management Council to consider during its October meeting.
Championships Committee, Aug. 15 Spring championships recap. The committee will review summary recaps of the 2023 NCAA Division III spring championships.
Sport committee recommendations. The committee will continue its discussion on what information a sport committee must gather and summarize before it submits a recommendation to the Championships Committee. Specifically, the committee is seeking to create a process that provides detailed information that must be included for any recommendation that would impact the championship date formula (e.g., change the selection date or modify the length of the championship).
Membership Committee, Aug. 17 Sports sponsorship waivers. The committee will continue the consideration of waiver requests related to sports sponsorship contest and participant minimum requirements.
New member process. The committee will continue a discussion of 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.
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.
