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.
Nominating Committee, May 8 Committee vacancies. The committee selected individuals to serve on several governance committees. With the passage of a 2025 legislative proposal that allows each Division III multi-sport conference to have a primary representative on National SAAC, the committee appointed 19 new members to national SAAC. The new members will join the committee for its July in-person meeting.
Championships Committee, May 13 Championships per diem. After reviewing the budget impact, the committee has acted to recommend an increase to the per diem ($150 for teams and $60 for hosts) effective next year. The Strategic Planning and Finance Committee will consider the recommendation during its early July meeting and if supported, the councils will act during their summer meetings.
National Collegiate Fencing Championship. The committee forwarded a legislative recommendation to the Management Council to split the National Collegiate Fencing Championship into separate men’s and women’s championships. The recommendation does not change anything structurally about the championship and does not have a budget impact for Division III. The current Division III fencing sponsorship includes 16 of the 45 women’s programs and 12 of the 36 men’s programs.
Playing rules committee structure. Division I is considering changes to its governance structure including revisions to the playing rules committee structure. In preparation for this potential change, the committee discussed various models to adjust the playing rules committee structure. It will continue the discussion during its June meeting and if needed, it will make a recommendation to the Management Council to consider during its July meeting.
Membership Committee, May 15 Review of the sports sponsorship audit program. The committee approved the modification of the selection criteria for the sports sponsorship audit program. Random selection of institutions will no longer be used. The committee will continue to use the established for-cause selection criteria.
Accreditation review. The committee discussed the referral from the Management Council to review the membership requirement regarding regional accreditation. The committee will continue the discussion during its June meeting, and if needed, will recommend a change for the Management Council to consider.
Upcoming Meetings and Anticipated Discussions.
Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement, May 21 Sports betting safe harbor/immunity conversation. The committee will follow the Management and Presidents Councils directive to develop concepts regarding a safe harbor, limited immunities or reduced penalties for student-athletes who engage in prohibited sports betting but seek help for problem gambling.
Division III Mental Health Program. The committee will receive an update on the division’s engagement of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing to fund Division III institutions, and in particular athletic trainers and head coaches, to receive adult Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training to support the mental well-being of student-athletes throughout the division.
Division III Mental Health Hardship Waiver pilot program. The committee will discuss the future of the Mental Health Hardship waiver, given the pilot program will expire at the conclusion of the 2024-25 academic year. It may recommend codifying the pilot program with legislation.
Review of NCAA Division III Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement guidelines. During its November 20, 2024, meeting, the committee was asked to review areas of the legislation where the committee has developed guidelines that address: (1) permanent ineligibility, (2) receipt of an impermissible benefit where the starting point is a dollar-value based withholding condition in addition to the requirement for repayment, and (3) outside competition. The committee instructed staff to draft new guidelines based on the guidance provided from the November 20, 2024, meeting.
Reminders.
Mental health webinar. During this 30-minute webinar, on Wed., May 21, 1 p.m. Eastern, we’ll introduce you to Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) — a skills-based training program that teaches you how to recognize and respond to signs of mental health or substance use challenges in your student-athletes. You’ll learn why investing in student-athlete mental wellbeing matters now more than ever, how MHFA is already making an impact across schools, and what tools you’ll gain from getting certificated in MHFA. The session will highlight opportunities to bring this fully funded MHFA training to your campus. Click here to register today!
Congressional request. On April 8, U.S. Representative Lisa McClain (R-MI-09) introduced the “Protecting Student Athletes’ Economic Freedom Act.” The bill prohibits a student-athlete from being considered an employee of an institution, a conference or an association. You can read the full text of the bill here. The Association supports this bill as NCAA schools, conferences and student-athletes overwhelmingly agree that an employment model is not the answer for college sports and is likely to have widespread negative impacts. To demonstrate the membership’s collective support for this legislation, we ask that each NCAA athletics director and commissioner (or a designated representative of your institution or conference) sign on in support of the bill by filling out this form: CLICK HERE TO SIGN-ON.
Regional Rules Seminar. Mark your calendars for the Regional Rules Seminar happening May 28-30 in Indianapolis. Plan your seminar schedule by viewing the Division III Daily Schedule and know most Division III sessions will be live streamed. To register for the NCAA Regional Rules Seminar, please follow these steps: 1.) Visit the event registration page; 2.) Click on the button, "Register Now", and 3.) choose either Division III or Division III virtual. Once registered you will receive an email confirmation. Virtual attendees will receive the livestream link on Thursday, May 22, Thursday, May 29 and Friday May 30. Note: To view Division III live streamed sessions, you must register as a Division III virtual attendee.
Student-athlete experience resource. The governance structure released a new one-page document that outlines the principles and expectations institutions, conferences and the governance structure strive for regarding the student-athlete collegiate experience. The document also outlines the division’s strategic priorities and vision to support student-athletes. The governance structure encourages institutions and conference offices to use this new resource with key constituent groups to help clarify the division’s mission and demonstrate the value of being part of Division III.
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.
