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.
Championships Committee, August 19. Women’s ice hockey. The committee supported a recommendation to increase the championship bracket from 12 to 13 for the 2026 championship based on sports sponsorship and the access ratio. The Administrative Committee will review and make a final decision during its late Aug. meeting.
Men’s and women’s ice hockey. The committee approved a request to conduct all ice hockey championships at pre-determined final sites effective with the 2028 championship.
Men’s volleyball. The committee supported a recommendation to increase the championship bracket from 19 to 21 for the 2026 championship based on sports sponsorship and the access ratio. The Administrative Committee will review and make a final decision during its late Aug. meeting. The committee also approved a championships date formula change to the men’s volleyball semifinals and finals from Friday/Sunday to Thursday/Saturday effective for the 2026 championship.
DIIICA and NADIIIAA Executive Leadership, August 20.
During the meeting, the leadership of the DIIICA and NADIIIAA engaged with NCAA senior leaders, including President Baker, received updates on the division’s budget to support strategic priorities, championships enhancements, 2026 Convention proposals and provided feedback on several topics including:
NCAA ID numbers. The group discussed the potential of requiring NCAA Identification Numbers for all Division III student-athletes enrolling in a Division III institution beginning with the 2026-27 academic year. The group noted the following: the ease and no cost to get an NCAA ID number (via the free process with the NCAA Eligibility Center), ease to use the Academic Portal that is transitioning to Compliance Assistant 2.0 this year, reduction in burden of using the NCAA online compliance forms and the Transfer Portal, and future participation in the NCAA Graduation Passport. The Management Council will consider this concept during its Oct. meeting.
Eligibility review. Similar to a discussion at the July Management Council meeting, the group provided feedback on eligibility bylaws. The group highlighted the value in having a broader discussion during the 2026 Division III Issues Forum at Convention.
Conference movement. The group provided feedback on membership and conference realignment trends. It reviewed historical data and provided insights from their role as leaders within the division. The review and discussion will continue at the fall commissioner meeting.
Membership Committee, August 21 Sports sponsorship waiver requests. The committee approved sports sponsorship waiver requests from two institutions and denied requests from two institutions.
Attendance requirements. The committee began a discussion of the requirements, penalties and policies associated with attendance at the NCAA Convention and the Regional Rules Seminar. The committee will continue the discussion at its September 18 meeting.
Upcoming Meetings and Anticipated Discussions.
Administrative Committee, August 28 Legislation. The committee will review the 2026 Convention proposals sponsored by the governance structure and membership. It also will be asked to take final approval of noncontroversial legislation regarding the new playing rules structure and Committee on Infraction hearing processes that the Management Council approved, in concept, during its July meeting.
Championships bracket enhancements. The committee will act on the two championship bracket increases. [See Championships Committee]
Reminders.
Rules committee openings. We are seeking nominations for the following Division III rules committees: Baseball (2 openings); Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey (2); Men’s Lacrosse (2); Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving (2), Men’s and Women’s Track and Field (2), and Men’s Wrestling (2). Please forward the nomination link
to your head coaches and/or administrators (e.g., SWAs, SIDs) to consider submitting a nomination by the Sept. 17 deadline.
Playing rules. Click here for a document that details playing rules with a financial impact.
National office closure. The NCAA national office will be closed Monday, September 1 in observance of Labor Day. Normal business hours will resume Tuesday, September 2. The NCAA academic and membership affairs (AMA) emergency phone line will be unavailable while the office is closed. RSRO and Academic Portal requests submitted to AMA after 4 p.m. Eastern Friday, August 29 will be reviewed when the office reopens.
NCAA Fan Database. Sign up to receive emails about ticket offers, live streaming, and much more for all NCAA Championships by entering your information in the NCAA Championship Preference Center. Please also share the link with institutional colleagues, student-athletes, parents, and fans. All Division III championship live streams are promoted through the Fan Database.
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.
National Collegiate Athletic Association, 700 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204 US
