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.

Management Council, October 20-21
Nominating Committee. The council approved noncontroversial legislation to exempt an appointed position assigned to a committee from the area and multi-sport conference composition legislation and to amend the composition requirements for the Strategic Planning and Finance Committee.

Women’s lacrosse playing rule. The council has approved an exemption request from five conferences regarding a recently approved playing rule. As a result, the use of headsets in women’s lacrosse will be permissive rather than mandatory for Division III. This decision is effective immediately and pursuant to NCAA legislation, is subject to ratification by the Division III membership at the 2026 NCAA Convention.

2026 Convention legislation. The council reviewed committee feedback and took initial positions for the membership sponsored convention proposals. It took a formal position of support for the following membership-sponsored Convention proposal: Providing meals on an unofficial visit.

The council took a position of opposition for the following membership-sponsored Convention proposals: 1.) Add a mandatory winter break and 2.) Reduce the waiting period to receive an automatic qualification.

Sports betting. The council adopted in final legislative form a noncontroversial proposal to permit wagering on professional sports. The proposal has been approved by Division II, and pending final adoption by Division I, the legislation will become effective November 22, 2025.

NCAA ID numbers. The council approved a change to its policies for reporting of Division III graduation rate information beginning in 2032. The change will require that all Division III student-athletes initially enrolling in a Division III institution beginning fall 2026 have an NCAA ID number.

Division III analysis. The council engaged in a discussion of various concerns and challenges raised within Division III. It believes that given the current state of intercollegiate athletics and higher education, coupled with the diversity of the Division III membership, a broad review of the division is needed.

Presidents Advisory Group and Presidents Council, October 27
Roundtable discussions. The PAG and council engaged in two roundtable discussions. The first was on the current Division III eligibility rules, legal challenges, and eligibility rules in Division II and I. The second roundtable included a discussion on the state of Division III and the need for an in-depth analysis of its structure (e.g., min. standards, championships access, legislative outcomes, finances, etc.).

2026 legislative proposals. The PAG and council discussed the proposals identified for the Presidential Grouping to help inform the council’s legislative positions.

Presidents Council, October 27-28
2026 legislative proposals. The council reviewed the legislative proposals in the Presidents Grouping and took the following positions.

• Establish a Division III women’s wrestling championship: This proposal would establish a Division III women's wrestling championship starting in 2027-28 academic year and a Division III Women's Wrestling Committee as specified. The council supports the proposal.
• Criteria for eligibility: This proposal would change how a student-athlete is charged with a season of eligibility from a participation standard to a competition standard. The council opposes the proposal.
• Multiple automatic qualifier model: The proposal would establish multiple automatic qualifiers to multisport conferences that have 12 or more core members that sponsor a sport. The council opposes the proposal.
• Automatic qualification- core member: This proposal would require an institution that is a core member of a conference to participate in the conference's automatic qualification process for the sport(s) in which the institution sponsors. The council supports the proposal.
• Amend in-region competition requirements: This proposal would reduce the required minimum percentage of in-region competition for championships eligibility from 70% to 50% for all sports except golf and tennis. The council  supports the proposal.
• Resolution: Name, Image And Likeness: The council supports a resolution submitted by the membership that charges the governance structure with monitoring the changing landscape around name, image and likeness, and its impact on Division III. 

Division III analysis. With feedback from the Management Council and the PAG, the council discussed the core tenets of the division's structure. The council approved a focused analysis of key issues—including championship access, eligibility standards, and membership criteria. This effort builds on recent evaluations by Deloitte (finances), Lewis Rice (Enrichment Fund), and the Division III Philosophy Statement Review Working Group. The council urges Division III presidents and chancellors to attend this year’s convention and actively engage in these critical discussions.

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Upcoming Meetings and Anticipated Discussions. 

Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Nov. 9 and 13
2026 NCAA Convention legislation. SAAC will provide feedback from legislative discussions with their conference SAACs. The committee will take the official National SAAC positions on the Division III proposals and prepare position papers.

Election of officers and committee positions. During the meeting, elections for chair, vice chair and communications director will take place. There also will be elections for various Division III and Associate-wide committee positions.

SAAC subcommittees and convention planning. The committee will share, evaluate progress, and continue plans to meet their 2025 goals for the following subcommittees – DIII Download (follow along on Instagram @diiiSAAC), Mental and Physical Health – Life After Sport, and Congressional Engagement. SAAC also will focus on 2026 NCAA Convention planning surrounding the joint breakfast with Management and Presidents Councils, Division III Student-Athlete Luncheon, Special Olympics Unified Sports Activity, and the SAAC sponsored Division III Student Social Mixer.

SAVE THE DATE: Division III SAAC Town Hall – Nov. 17
The Division III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Mental and Physical Health Subcommittee will be hosting a virtual town hall for student-athletes, coaches and administrators at 8 p.m. Eastern time Monday, Nov. 17. This year’s Town Hall will feature discussions on mental and physical health, the Division III Mental Health First Aid partnership, and how these initiatives are shaping healthier, more supportive athletics environments. In addition, participants will hear updates from DIII SAAC’s Subcommittees, highlighting how Division III student-athletes are using their voices to make a difference on and off the field. To register, click here. 

Strategic Planning and Finance Committee, Nov. 10
FY27/28 budget planning. The committee will start to discuss the FY27/FY28 budget planning process and have an initial discussion regarding championship enhancements and Enrichment Fund initiatives and programs.

Enrichment Fund. The committee will review programs, grants and initiatives, within the Enrichment Fund, which have occurred or are scheduled to occur in the coming months.

Convention Planning Subcommittee, November 11
Convention schedule and agendas. The subcommittee will review the schedule and agendas for the Division III programing at the 2026 convention.

Financial Aid Committee, Nov. 12
Level I Reviews. The committee will conduct Level I Reviews for 43 institutions and decide if a Level II Review is warranted. The Level II Review is where the committee assesses all financial aid policies and procedures, and the potential impact on student-athletes. 

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Resources/Annoucements

NCAA National Office Closing. The national office will close at noon Eastern on Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 4). Normal business hours will resume Wednesday, Nov. 5. The legislative and compliance emergency phone line will be unavailable while the office is closed. RSRO and Academic Portal requests submitted after 11 a.m. Eastern Tuesday, Nov. 4 will be reviewed when the office reopens.

Sports Wagering Q&A. Click here for a Q&A regarding the recent deregulation of betting on professional sports. 

Sportsmanship Module. Coaches, administrators and game day staff can learn practical techniques to manage conflict and promote respect at athletics events with the new e-learning course De-escalation Techniques: Promoting Peaceful Resolution on the NCAA Learning Portal.

2026 Publication of Proposals. As you prepare for the NCAA Convention and the slate of legislative proposals, click here for the publication of proposals. 

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