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Division III Newsletter
Smart Brevity® count: 6 mins...1563 words
👋 Welcome to the Division III October newsletter!
🚨 As a reminder:
📊 Facts and Figures
🧾 Annual Report
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Division III recently released its 2025-26 Annual Report. The report highlights the major events, award recipients, team champions, committee highlights and other notable achievements from the past academic year.
📈 2026-27 NCAA Membership Breakdown
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NCAA research has released the 2026-27 NCAA Membership Breakdown.
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For 2026-27, the NCAA has 1,233 members (conferences and schools), while Division III has 416 active member schools, plus four in the provisional process, and 42 multisport conferences.
Now onto the newsletter.
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🗳 NCAA and D3SIDA Recognition Award
This award honors the best work — including news releases, feature articles, videos and other materials — produced by Division III campus and conference athletics communication offices.
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The honoree will receive a $1,500 credit to attend the annual College Sports Communicators convention.
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Next steps: Submit entrires to d3identity@ncaa.org by Oct. 15.
Available grants:
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Pathway to Excellence Grant: Two-year, entry-level athletics administration positions.
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Strategic Alliance Matching Grant: Five-year mid- to senior-level athletics administration positions.
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Coaching Enhancement Grant: Two-year assistant coaching positions.
👉 Questions? Refer to the grant guidelines or contact Malik Henry.
Applications Open ➡️ Leadership Development Programs
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📈 Division III Analysis Working Group
When: The Division III Analysis Working Group had a videoconference in mid-September.
Eligibility case study: The working group finalized a case study that examines the division’s current eligibility model versus an age-based model that has been submitted as a 2027 Convention proposal. The case study is intended to help the membership frame its discussions regarding the division’s eligibility options.
NIL case study: The working group forwarded a case study regarding name, image and likeness opportunities that was developed by the outside consultant, to the Division III NIL Working Group for additional analysis.
During future meetings, the working group will continue to research and discuss several options that focus on creating financial resources (e.g., peer benchmarking), broad playing season structures and governance strategic planning.
➡️ Next steps: The working group has an in-person meeting Oct. 6 in Indianapolis.
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What’s Next: Register by Oct. 9 to get the lowest registration rate ($325).
Reminder: Each active member school must be represented by a voting delegate at the Division III Business Session. Contact Eric Hartung with questions .
📖 It Is Time ― The POPL Is Here!
The 2027 NCAA Convention Division III Publication of Proposed Legislation and related materials are now available on NCAA.org and in LSDBi.
💻 Prep for Convention with the DIII Monthly Compliance Webinars
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October 14 – Noncontroversial Legislation and the Blue Pages
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November 11 – 2027 Convention Legislative Proposals
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December 9 – Age-Based Eligibility
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✏️ Rule of the Month – Waivers!
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Waivers provide relief when your school or conference can demonstrate that mitigating circumstances exist to warrant flexibility on legislation.
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NCAA staff are frequently asked about the types of waivers that are available for the Division III membership, including some common issues and types detailed below.
📋 Waiver Resources:
Need help with waivers? Access case precedent through RSRO's Search tab, review resources on the Division III Subcommittee for Legislative Relief webpage, and use the Previously Approved List for Student-Athlete Reinstatement to identify scenarios that can be self-applied on campus.
📌 Pro Tip: RSRO Permissions
Having trouble accessing an RSRO decision or message? Confirm you have the appropriate permissions.
Need help? Review the "I'm New Here — Help!" session in the 2026 Division III Regional Rules materials in the NCAA Learning Portal.
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🚀 NCAA Boosts Digital Coverage Rights
The NCAA, TNT Sports, and Veritone have expanded digital highlight rights, allowing schools to enhance NCAA championship coverage and fan engagement.
Why it matters: Schools now have increased opportunities to share live and post-event content, intensifying engagement and storytelling.
Membership benefits:
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Share In-Game Moments: Greater flexibility to share championship highlights as they occur.
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Richer Recaps: Expanded capacity for detailed championship storytelling.
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Grabyo Access: Participating schools get one Grabyo seat for championships.
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Where to Share: Content can be shared on official school websites, social media channels and other connected platforms.
Note: This policy excludes Division I Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships.
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📄 New Resources: NCAA Power Index (NPI)
The NCAA championships staff have developed a series of resources to help the membership better understand NPI and how it is used.
📚Check out the new educational documents and webpage that cover:
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The purpose and history of NPI.
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Core NPI terminology.
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Detailed explanations of dials, weights and calculations.
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How NPI is used in championship selection processes.
👉 What’s next: Additional educational materials and resources are expected to be released throughout the year to help coaches, administrators and conference offices better understand NPI.
📅 Mark your calendar: The first NPI ranking release for Division III field hockey, men’s and women’s soccer and women’s volleyball will take place Oct. 5, while the first release for football will be Oct. 12.
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✅ Eligibility Center Reminders
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Review international student-athlete accounts and confirm fall enrollees have received final eligibility decisions.
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Beginning Oct. 1, winter and spring 2026 enrollees can request athletics certification once fees are paid or a waiver is processed.
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Ensure international student-athletes complete all sports participation questions before requesting certification.
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Reminder: Domestic student-athletes must create a Profile Page to obtain an NCAA ID.
Fee Update (effective Nov. 1): Profile Page fee increases to $5; Athletics Certification Account fee is $85.
👉 Questions? Contact the Eligibility Center through the portal or email ecinfo@ncaa.org or ec-international@ncaa.org.
🏒Ice Hockey
Beginning with the 2027-28 season, Division III men's and women's ice hockey student-athletes will be required to wear cut-resistant equipment, approved by the DII and DIII Playing Rules Oversight Panel.
🥎 Softball
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Fence Padding: Beginning Jan. 1, hard-material sideline and home run fences must be padded at all NCAA softball competition venues. Schools should also evaluate other fence types to help reduce injuries.
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Bat Testing: Barrel compression testing is required before every tournament, series, doubleheader and game, including fall competition. The Aug.10 Approved Softball Bat List is available here.
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Double First Base: For the 2027 season, the double first base is required for all competition.
🏐 Women's Volleyball ― Call for Proposals
All NCAA Women's Volleyball Rules Committees are seeking feedback on playing rules.
What’s Next: Submit rules change proposals and supporting reationale by Oct. 11 using this link.
Contact Rachel Seewald with any questions.
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📹 Recordings of Emerging Sports webinars now available
Recordings of the NCAA’s Emerging Sports for Women Webinar Series are now available on the NCAA Resources YouTube page.
Membership administrators can also find the recordings soon on the NCAA Learning Portal.
Why it matters: The series gives valuable insights into the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program, its role in expanding opportunities for student-athletes and the sports shaping the growth and future of women’s athletics.
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🤝 Save the Date ― 2027 Opportunities and Impact Award
The 2027 NCAA/MOAA Opportunities and Impact Award nominations open Oct. 15 in Program Hub.
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The joint NCAA and Minority Opportunities Athletic Association award celebrates athletics departments and conference offices that enhance student-athlete voices and foster cultures of belonging and well-being.
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One recipient is selected from each NCAA division.
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🧠 Mental Health Fact Sheets
The NCAA is committed to supporting schools in their effort to support the mental well-being of student-athletes. Seven new mental health facts sheets were developed during 2025-26, including versions for staff and student-athletes.
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💻 Webinars will be held from 1:30 to 2 p.m. Eastern time on the following dates and topics:
➡️ All past webinar PowerPoints are on the Division III webinar webpage.
📺 De-escalation Techniques: Promoting Peaceful Resolution
Learn more: This e-learning course in the NCAA Learning Portal offers practical strategies for managing conflict and promoting respect at athletics events.
Access: Available in the Membership Essentials channel.
📆 Key Dates — October through December
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Thanks for reading!
This update is a tool to enhance communication between the NCAA national office and the Division III membership.
Please email DIIIGovernance@ncaa.org to include an item or share comments.
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