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.
Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Nov. 10-11 2025 NCAA Convention legislation. SAAC reviewed the 2025 legislative proposals and discussed its positions based on feedback from their conference members.
Electionof officers and committee positions. The committee selected Lillian Case, Juniata, as SAAC chair, Josey Johnson, as SAAC vice-chair, Zoey Wexler, Western New England, as communications director, and Lillian Case and Sebastian Knowles, Hartwick, as the representatives to Presidents Council effective with the close of the 2025 NCAA Convention.
SAAC subcommittees and convention planning. The committee discussed the progress and upcoming plans of the following subcommittees – Hot Topics, Sports Ethics and Fan Behavior, and Mental and Physical Health.
Convention events for student-athletes. SAAC also encourages student-athletes attending the 2025 NCAA Convention to attend the following student-athlete programs (all times are Central):
Wed., Jan. 15: Special Olympics Unified Sports Activity, 1:30 to 3 p.m. SAAC sponsored Division III Student Social Mixer, 8:30 to 10 p.m.
Thurs., Jan. 16: Division III Student-Athlete Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Strategic Planning and Finance Committee, Nov. 12 Mental health partnership. The committee reviewed and discussed a proposed partnership with a mental health third party vendor. The proposal would provide each institution a hybrid training (two hours virtual and six hours on campus) for their head coaches and athletic trainers at no cost to the institution. The Deloitte review recommended this training for the membership and the committee and councils earmarked funding. The committee identified some concerns with the proposal and tasked staff with seeking additional information before the councils review, and possibly act, on the proposal during their January meetings.
Strategic priorities. The committee reviewed the identified strategic priorities for 2024-25 and continue its review and implementation of the recommendations identified during last year’s review by Deloitte.
Women’s basketball joint championship. The committee will recommend the Presidents Council approve the funding for a 2028 joint women’s basketball championship. The council will act during its January meeting.
Financial Aid Committee, Nov. 12 Level I reviews. The committee conducted 23 Level I reviews. Thirteen cases were forwarded for a Level II review to be completed in February.
Convention Planning Subcommittee, Nov. 14 2025 Convention planning. The subcommittee reviewed and discussed the agendas for the Division III convention programs and sessions. The subcommittee finalized the presenters and discussion questions for the Issue Forum topics: Name, Image and Likeness and current challenges facing the division.
Upcoming Meetings and Anticipated Discussions.
Interpretations and Legislation Committee, Nov. 18 Legislative proposals Q&A. The committee will be reviewing a draft of the 2025 Convention Question and Answer document.
Bylaw review. The committee will begin a review of NCAA bylaws impacting relationships with professional sports leagues, National Governing Bodies, and non-profit organizations.
Championships Committee, Nov. 19 Women’s golf. The committee will review a women’s golf host recommendation to replace the 2025 host after unforeseen circumstances precluded them from hosting. The Women’s Golf Committee also will request a field size increase based on its 2023-24 sport sponsorship.
Soccer championship date formula. The committee will discuss the men’s and women’s soccer championship date formula change request and use the Management Council’s feedback to inform its discussion.
Coaches’ Connect Program proposal. The committee will review a proposal to explore establishing a Coaches’ Connect program similar to the Division II Coaches’ Connect program. The goal of Coaches’ Connect Program is to establish better communication lines with the membership inclusive of head coaches, administrators, conference commissioners and coaches’ associations. It will be the Championships Committee’s first opportunity to review the proposal.
Membership Committee, Nov. 21 Waiver requests. The committee will consider one sports sponsorship waiver request and one Regional Rules Seminar attendance waiver request.
Conference Rules Seminar. The committee will consider an application from the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference to host a conference rules seminar in June 2025.
Nominating Committee, Dec. 5 Committee vacancies. The committee will review the nominations for a handful of immediate vacancies and begin the process to populate the new NCAA Women’s Wrestling Committee anticipating approval at the 2025 NCAA Convention regarding the creation of a national collegiate championship.
Resources.
SAVE THE DATE: Division III SAAC Town Hall – Nov. 18 The Division III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Mental and Physical Health Subcommittee will be hosting a virtual town hall for student-athletes at 8 p.m. Eastern time Nov. 18. The town hall will feature special guests Dr. Deena Casiero and Division III student-athlete Kaya Mahy. To register click here.
Playing rules survey deadlines.Click here for a compilation of the sports that are in a rule change year in 2024-25. You will see the deadline for proposals and anticipated date for the rules survey.
Show me the money.Click here for a chart outlining Division III grants and programs available to the Division III membership. The chart also outlines application and selection timelines, as well as program benefits.
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 Presidents Council, Management Council, commissioners, directors of athletics and the NADIIIAA executive board based on contact information in the NCAA Directory.
