The Division III Management Council met Wednesday, and the Presidents Council gathered Thursday at the 2023 NCAA Convention in San Antonio in preparation for Friday's Special Rules of Order Business Session and Saturday's Business Session.
Twelve proposals and a couple of resolutions are on the table as both councils reviewed their stances and discussed other notable topics regarding Division III.
"We are at a critical time of collegiate athletics, and the work that we do at this NCAA Convention is helping shape the future of Division III," said Jim Schmidt, chair of the Presidents Council and chancellor of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. "With the landscape ever-evolving, making alterations for the betterment of our student-athletes is the top priority of our council."
Subcommittee on Congressional Engagement and Action
Both councils received updates from the Board of Governors Subcommittee on Congressional Engagement and Action. These conversations centered around the urgency and importance of the Association collaborating to engage federal legislators to ensure that colleges of all varieties can continue to operate a rich diversity of athletics programs.
Financial planning and preparation
Each council held strategic conversations regarding the future of Division III while examining external pressures facing the division. Part of those discussions included supporting the creation of a Financial and Risk Management Working Group that will aim to periodically review the division's financial standing within the current landscape of intercollegiate athletics and evaluate threats and risks to the division's revenue.
The working group will report to the Presidents Council and collaborate with the Strategic Planning and Finance Committee. It will be responsible for examining opportunities to enhance the division's finances and prepare alternatives for the council to act if there is a disruption in the division's annual revenue.
Division III philosophy statement review
Work continues on examining Division III's philosophy statement. Both councils reviewed findings from a membership survey and discussed areas in which to seek feedback during Friday's Division III Issues Forum.Â
Proposal for stunt as emerging sport for women
A governance-sponsored proposal to add stunt as an emerging sport for women was reconsidered upon recommendation by the Committee on Women's Athletics. The Management Council agreed that it will move to refer the proposal back to the Committee on Women's Athletics for further consideration. The membership will consider this motion during the Saturday business session.
Federated process for playing rules
The Management Council supported the development of an advisory group to help support NCAA staff in its development of a federated process for playing rules.
The new NCAA constitution, which became effective Aug. 1, includes a provision that allows each division to establish the rules for sports competitions and participation, with flexibility at the division, subdivision or federated level. The Playing Rules Oversight Panel will likely request that divisional governance bodies pursue the appropriate legislative actions to eliminate the requirement that playing rules shall be common for all divisions of the NCAA.
It is anticipated that the Management Council will review and act on both the legislative recommendation from PROP and a process for federated review of playing rules at its April meeting. This advisory group would consist of:
- One member from the Division III Championships Committee.
- One Division III athletics director.
- One Division III conference commissioner.
- One member from the Division III Management Council.
- One Division III member from PROP.
- One member from the Division III Strategic Planning and Finance Committee.
Health and safety news
The Management Council heard updates from Dr. Brian Hainline, the NCAA's chief medical officer, who shared information on the recent Mental Health Advisory Group's first gathering and the inaugural Cannabis in Collegiate Athletics Summit. Hainline also provided an update on health and safety strategic priorities, transgender student-athlete participation and other takeaways from the December meeting of the Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports.
Departing council members
This meeting was the last for five Management Council and three Presidents Council members whose terms expire with the conclusion of the NCAA Convention.
Leaving the Management Council:
- Michelle Morgan, John Carroll, director of athletics.
Leaving the Presidents Council:
- Rich Dunsworth, Ozarks (Arkansas).
- Bob Lindgren, Randolph-Macon.
- Jessica Ader, SUNY Potsdam, SAAC representative.