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.
NIL Working Group, August 31 NIL resources. The working group reviewed the existing NIL resources available to the Division III membership, focusing closely on the institutional involvement resource. The working group suggested that boosters and booster groups, whose primary goal is to support a specific institution and/or program, should have more clarification regarding what is or is not permissible when engaging in NIL activity. That conservation will continue at future meetings.
Survey. The working group finalized a survey that will be sent to the membership to assess the status of NIL activities across Division III. Campus administrators, athletics directors and compliance administrators are encouraged to complete a brief survey and share their perspectives. Similar surveys will be distributed to coaches through their coaches associations and to student-athletes through National SAAC social media channels.
Upcoming Meetings and Anticipated Discussions.
PC Futures Subcommittee, Sept. 8 DIII Analysis. The subcommittee will review the working group’s early August videoconference report that outlines the 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 will discuss two options being sent to the full council for consideration: Model 2023 Membership and Extend the PC Chair Term.
Strategic talking points and future priorities. The subcommittee will review and provide feedback on a Division III resource that provides talking points regarding the division’s FY27 strategic priorities. It also will engage in an exercise to identify potential strategic priorities for the next three years.
Strategic Planning and Finance Committee, Sept. 10 DIII Analysis. The committee will discuss the working group’s August meeting outcomes. It also will begin to review two options forwarded by the working group: Division III Championships Production and Financing for Emerging Sport Championships.
Budget. The committee will review the budget to actuals for last year and for this coming year.
Strategic priorities. The committee will provide feedback on two resources. One resource identifies key talking points for the division’s FY27 strategic priorities, and the other resource provides talking points related to the Division III student-athlete experience. After the committee’s review, the councils will review during their October meetings prior to being shared with the membership.
Subcommittee for Legislative Relief, Sept. 11 Eligibility pilot program. The subcommittee will review two requests related to the Eligibility Pilot program. This program permits a Division III student-athlete to remain eligible to compete for the Division III institution while enrolled in another collegiate institution, per specific criteria.
Resource review. The committee will review recommended updates to the previously approved waiver list as well as review the policies and procedures and the guidelines and directives.
Opportunity and access programs and grants. The subcommittee will discuss the upcoming program and grant period.
Nominating Committee, Sept. 16 Committee nominations. The committee will review the nominations for the January 2027 vacancies along with a handful of immediate vacancies. Recommendations will be forwarded to the appropriate governance committees for final approval.
Division III Analysis Working Group, Sept. 17 Case study. The working group will finalize 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 working group also will review a case study regarding Name, Image, and Likeness. The intent is to review and update, as needed, and then forward to the Division III NIL Working Group.
Options. The working group will begin an initial review of the 10 options (e.g., financial resources, playing and practice seasons, governance structure) the Presidents Council approved for it to oversee. The working group will prioritize the options and identify additional needed research and data. During its October in-person meeting, the working group will conduct an in-depth review of these options.
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. Sharethe signup link with colleagues, student-athletes, parents, and fans.
NCAA National Office Labor Day Closure. The NCAA national office will be closed Monday, September 7 in observance of Labor Day. Normal business hours will resume Tuesday, September 8. The NCAA governance and member services (GMS) emergency phone line will be unavailable while the office is closed. RSRO and Academic Portal requests submitted to GMS after 4 p.m. Eastern time Friday, Sept. 4 will be reviewed when the office reopens.
With every communication, we also anticipate additional questions. Please send all questions to DIIIGovernance@ncaa.org.
This email was sent to NCAA Division III Presidents Council, Management Council, commissioners, directors of athletics and the NADIIIAA executive board based on contact information in the NCAA Directory.
