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.
Bylaw review. The committee began its 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 supported, in concept, expanding the championships field size to 34 teams and six individuals pending the ability for future hosts to provide the two courses necessary to accommodate the expanded field at rates that are within the championships budget. It also requested the additional funding to support two courses (i.e., hole signposts, blue stakes, caps for hole signs, bracket posters and a stipend increase for the head rules official).
The committee also approved the recommendation from the Division III Women’s Golf Committee for Christopher Newport University to host the 2025 NCAA Division III Women’s Golf Championships at Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Virginia.
Diving regionals. The committee approved the recommendation from the Division III Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving Committee for the hosts of the 2025 Division III Men’s and Women’s Diving Regionals.
Wrestling regional. The committee approved the recommendation from the Division III Wrestling Committee for Averett University to host the 2025 Region IV regional and the American Rivers Conference to host the 2025 Region VI regional in Cedar Rapids, IA. With this action, the committee has approved sites and hosts for five of the seven regionals.
Soccer championship date formula. The committee denied a proposal from the Division III Men’s and Women’s Soccer Committees that would move the championship one week later. The Championships Committee based its opposition primarily on the increased burden the extended soccer season would place on athletics personnel and facilities during an already stressful period in which the playing season for fall and winter sports overlap.
Coaches’ Connect Program proposal. The committee endorsed the establishment of a Coaches Connect program to enhance the education and engagement of Division III coaches in governance and championships. The committee will seek feedback from the Division III Management Council and the Division III Commissioners’ Association before finalizing the concept with intended initial implementation of one sport per season in the 2025-26 academic year. After the first year, anticipate the addition of more sports.
Membership Committee, Nov. 21 Waiver requests. The committee denied a sponsorship waiver request and approved a Regional Rules Seminar attendance waiver request.
Conference Rules Seminar. The committee approved 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 reviewed and selected individuals to fill several immediate vacancies, and it began 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.
Upcoming Meetings and Anticipated Discussions.
Convention Planning Subcommittee, Dec. 9 Convention sessions. The subcommittee will review and finalize the agendas for various Division III sessions including the Issues Forum and Business Session. The subcommittee also will review various logistics associated with the convention.
Division III Presidents Council Futures Subcommittee, Dec. 12 Purpose and mission. This new subcommittee of Presidents Council will discuss its purpose within the current higher education landscape and ever-changing athletics environment. It also will establish how it will collaborate with the Division III Strategic Planning and Finance Committee and Management Council while reporting to Presidents Council.
Strategic planning. It will review and discuss the division’s current strategic plan and the recommendations from last year’s review by Deloitte.
Division III Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Subcommittee, Dec. 12 Diversity programs. The subcommittee will review and discuss recent programs as well as programs scheduled for the 2025 NCAA Convention.
Graduation rates. The subcommittee will review and discuss trends from the latest Division III graduation rate report.
Championships Committee, Dec. 17 Regional hosts. The Championships Committee will finalize the 2025 wrestling regional sites and review prospective cross country regional sites for the fall of 2025.
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.
