DIVISION III PRESIDENTS QUARTERLY UPDATE - MAY 2023
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR, CHANCELLOR JIM SCHMIDT
I am Jim Schmidt, the chancellor of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and chair of the Division III Presidents Council. As the spring semester ends, I hope you and your campus are flourishing with excitement. This quarterly update highlights the recent 2023 April Presidents Council meeting. I encourage you to review and discuss the topics with your presidential colleagues, athletics direct reports and commissioners.
CONGRESSIONAL ENGAGEMENT
The NCAA, including Division III institutions and conferences, are facing significant challenges associated with an employment-based model for college athletes, the implications of state-by-state patchwork legal governance and the need for clear national standards to ensure a level playing field. The various challenges make it imperative for all of us to be versed on key issues and prepared to speak on them to our campuses, in our communities and with our contacts in government.
The Board of Governors’ goal is to proactively shape possible future federal legislation with a focus on name, image and likeness protections for student-athletes; special status of student athletes: affirm the current and unique relationship between universities and student-athletes, rather than student-athletes as employees of an institution; safe harbor from select liability complaints; and codify that federal law preempts state law in certain areas such as name, image and likeness.
Division III has identified congressional advocates to engage the membership in efforts to provide education and seek feedback on ways to approach Congress and state legislators. The advocates have conducted multiple webinars with individuals from the membership to gather feedback and questions, which was then shared and discussed within the council. Click here for resources shared on the webinars and anticipate a toolkit, with additional resources, being sent in the coming weeks to assist with engagement efforts.
PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT REVIEW
The council reviewed the current draft of the philosophy statement and believes the current version accurately reflects the philosophical values of the division. It endorsed the plan to finalize the proposed philosophy statement which includes additional feedback from the membership with a final draft to the council to consider for 2024 convention legislation during its summer meeting.
FINANCIAL AND RISK MANAGEMENT WORKING GROUP
At the request of the Administrative Committee, the council approved the formation of a working group to discuss the current higher education and athletics landscape and how it might impact financial planning and preparation for Division III. The working group will periodically review the division’s financial standing within the current landscape of intercollegiate athletics and examine threats, risks, and opportunities to enhance the division. The group is comprised of members of the Division III Administrative Committee and at-large members who will meet for the first time in May.
DIVISION III ENRICHMENT FUND
The council approved the process for hiring a third-party vendor to assess the Division III Enrichment Fund initiatives, programs, and resources. The Enrichment Fund directly supports the student-athlete experience, and conducting an assessment will help ensure the programs and resources are meeting expectations and align with the division’s strategic priorities. You can find a list of Division III grants, programs and scholarships supported by the Enrichment Fund here.
FEDERATED PLAYING RULES
The Management Council adopted noncontroversial legislation to eliminate the existing legislation that playing rules must be the same for all three divisions. The council also reviewed and provided feedback on an initial Division III specific federated playing rules process. The proposed process operates within the current structure for reviewing and adopting playing rules but adds additional Division III perspectives to support the members of the sport specific rules committee and Playing Rules Oversight Panel.
ATHLETIC TRAINERS WORKING GROUP
The Management Council approved the creation of a working group to identify the factors impacting Division III’s efforts to hire and retain athletic trainers and to create recommendations to help institutions address those identified factors. The working group will be formed over the next two months, with initial work slated to begin this summer.
NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS
To replace departing members, the council elected Bryan Coker, president of Maryville College, for a four-year term and Adaobi Nebuwa, basketball student- athlete at Colby College, for a two-year term, effective immediately. Click here for the council roster.
CONCLUSION
It is my intent that the quarterly update provides the necessary and critical information to assist you in the oversight of Division III athletics on your campus. You can find a full recap of the April Presidents Council meeting here and the Summary of Actions, which highlights all recent Council actions. As always, I welcome any comments or questions.
This email was sent to NCAA Division III presidents and chancellors;conference commissioners and athletics direct reports based on contact information in the NCAA Directory.
