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.
Presidents Council, Jan. 29 Division III analysis. The council agreed to the following to advance the narrowly focused analysis that it approved in October 2025.
Confirmed Presidents Council’s authority over the analysis.
Charged staff with creating a working group to collect the research and data, engage the membership and governance structure, and provide policy and legislative recommendations, as warranted. A membership-wide communication was sent on Thursday, Feb. 5. Individuals interested in serving need to complete the interest form no later than Feb. 16. The Presidents Council Futures Subcommittee will review a proposed working group roster, and the full council will approve electronically (preferably by March 1).
Charged staff to explore third-party contractors to work with and assist the working group.
The council also conducted a preliminary review of the initial objectives and timeline. It will discuss and provide feedback on steps taken at its late April meeting.
Commissioner’s Orientation, Feb. 2 New commissioner orientation. Four newDivision III commissioners participated in a day-long orientation in Indianapolis. They engaged with NCAA staff, received best practices, and had the opportunity to ask questions to support their transition into their new commissioner role. Check out the LinkedIn post.
Management Council, Feb. 5 Noncontroversial legislation. The council adopted two noncontroversial proposals it had initially approved in concept at its January meeting. The first permits greater flexibility for parties to an NCAA infraction and the NCAA to share information publicly about a pending infractions case under limited circumstances. The second eliminates the academic year in residence as a condition for a student-athlete who participated in organized competition after delaying their initial college enrollment. Both are effective immediately.
2026 convention. The council reviewed and discussed the Division III programming and sessions from the 2026 convention. Feedback from the council will be shared with the convention management team and will be used by the Division III Convention Planning Subcommittee as it begins planning for the 2027 convention.
2026 priorities. The council identified the key topics/items it wants to track, monitor, and address for 2026. Several of the identified priorities include the Division III Analysis and budget, Name, Image and Likeness, Championships, branding of Division III, legal and governmental actions. The council will review the list again at its April meeting.
Upcoming Meetings and Anticipated Discussions.
Financial Aid Committee, Feb. 10-11 Level II reviews. The committee will conduct 16 Level II Reviews. Each review will result in no further action by the committee or a referral to NCAA Enforcement related to identified compliance issues.
Championships Committee, Feb. 16-17 Championships budget. The committee will begin its initial review of championships budget requests for 2026-27 and 2027-28. Budget enhancements being considered include: championships per diem; increased championship opportunities based on the legislated access ratio; review of the two-year bracketing pilot to protect top seeded teams; and various sport specific recommendations.
NCAA Power Index (NPI). The committee will discuss the NPI previously established timeline for review and affirm next steps for sport committees potentially looking to make adjustments for future championships.
Championships live streaming. The committee will receive an update on Fall 2025 live streaming metrics and the increased viewership it has brought to Division III championships.
Instant replay and technology resources. The committee will discuss instant replay and technology use in Division III championships and review the process for a sport committee to establish (or increase) requirements. Click here for the current championship requirements.
NCAA championships app. The committee will be asked for feedback on the concept of a Division III specific NCAA championships app.
Men’s and women’s golf regional model. The committee will review the request to modify the men’s and women’s golf championships formats to include regional qualifiers to advance to the national championships. The committee will review updated information it requested from the golf committees to clarify aspects of the proposal.
Championships ticketing review. The committee will receive an update on a review of championships ticket prices. It will provide feedback on proposed changes to Division III ticket price minimums and forward to the Management Council to review and provide feedback during its April meeting. The committee will review the feedback and look to act at an early summer meeting to potentially implement for 2026-27.
Membership Committee, Feb. 17-18 New member applications. The committee will consider reclassification applications from Saint Francis University (PA) and Azusa Pacific University. The committee also will consider a provisional application from the University of Maine at Augusta.
Conference rules seminar application. The committee will consider an application from the Middle Atlantic Regional Commissioners Association (MARCA) to host a Conference Rules Seminar in 2027 at York College (PA).
Interpretations and Legislation Committee, Feb. 18 and 20 Review of interpretative and legislative actions. The committee will engage in its standard review of interpretative and legislative actions from Divisions I and II over the past six months and consider whether similar action should be considered for Division III. One specific item of note includes the increased permissible size of a manufacturer’s logo on uniforms recently adopted by Division I.
Name, Image, and Likeness. The committee will begin reviewing 2026 Proposal No. 3 – Resolution Name, Image, and Likeness, and start discussing approaches to monitoring NIL that should be considered by Presidents Council during its April meeting.
Convention voting. The committee will begin discussing ways in which the Division III Business Session at convention can be more efficient, including a potential process for allowing a consent package if the situation warrants.
Transfer Portal education. The committee will provide input on developing the Division III specific educational module that student-athletes will be required to view if requesting entry into the transfer portal.
Presidents Council Futures Subcommittee, Feb. 20 Division III analysis. The subcommittee will discuss the analysis’ initial objectives, review and recommend the proposed working group to the Presidents Council, and receive an update on the Issues Forum feedback that identifies tension points.
Campus leadership initiative. The subcommittee will provide feedback regarding a new initiative to increase engagement of Division III presidents/chancellors and athletics direct report.
Reminders.
Membership Survey. Earlier this week, Mario Morris, NCAA Chief Financial Officer, sent a survey to the entire membership (all three divisions) to gather feedback on the services offered by the NCAA national office to look at potential reductions in FY27 and FY28 to finance recent legal settlements. There is approximately $350M of spending that NCAA leadership and finance membership committees would like to gather membership feedback on.
The survey was sent to the top five at institutions (president/chancellor, AD, SWA, FAR, senior compliance) and to conference offices and will remain open until Friday, Feb. 13. We encourage you to complete this survey so that Division III’s voice and priorities can be heard.
Accelerator Summit. This programming offered by Women Leaders in Sport is designed for senior-level leaders. The program supports leaders during a pivotal phase of their career when elevated strategic thinking becomes critical to success. Leaders will explore the importance of contributing beyond a job description, delivering distinct value through their personal brand, and balancing multi-directional management - essential skills for advancement. Division III applicants can apply for a scholarship funded by the division. You can find more information on the Accelerator Summit HERE.
With every communication, we also anticipate additional questions. Please send all questions to DIIIGovernance@ncaa.org.
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.
