NCAA Division III
MONTHLY UPDATE // ISSUE NO. 131 // AUGUST 2016

This update is a tool to enhance communication between the NCAA national office and the Division III membership, with distribution to athletics directors, senior woman administrators, faculty athletics representatives, presidents, national SAAC, conference commissioners and the NADIIIAA list serve.  We encourage athletics directors to share this communication with their athletics department members.  Please contact Louise McCleary to include an item or share comments, and remember to check out the Division III governance homepage for the latest news and information.


HOT TOPICS

Presidents and Commissioners Communication Best Practices

The NCAA is committed to presidential leadership in college athletics, and we are pleased to share with you the Division III Communication Best Practices: A Guide for Chancellors, Presidents, and Commissioners .   The best practices guide is the product of a year-long working group of  Division III presidents and commissioners.  The working group's charge was to examine the relationship and communication strategies between presidents/chancellors and commissioners and suggest best practices for continued engagement and communication.   The resource is structured to assist presidents, chancellors, commissioners, and institutional staff in identifying communication and operational best practices.

Tips to access key NCAA.org Resources

Need help remembering how to update department contacts for NCAA mailings or how to assign users to Single Source Sign-On (SSSO)?  Use this resource for a two-page, easy to follow guide on how to use and access key NCAA.org resources.

HIGHLIGHTS

Hot Topics

FAR Updates

ADR Updates

SSI Updates

Diversity Spotlight

Special Olympics

AMA Updates

Educational Information

PROP Updates

Championships Updates

The NCAA Record

Committee Updates

Key Dates

Division III Student Immersion Program

For the second year, Division III will support 40 ethnic minority students to attend the 2017 NCAA Convention in Nashville, Tennessee from Jan. 18-21.  The application process will be available on Program Hub , titled "Division III Student Immersion Program", from August 15 until September 30 at 5 p.m. Eastern time.  Ethnic minority students, preferably juniors and seniors, with a strong interest in a career in Division III athletics (coaching and/or administration) are encouraged to apply.  Final selections will be announced in early October.  At the Convention, the students will be exposed to Division III, its members and the governance process.  In addition to the scheduled Division III programming, there will be welcome and debrief meetings.  The goal is to build a pipeline of talented ethnic minority candidates with an interest in Division III coaching and/or administration, in an effort to help diversify the division.  

Updated Recruiting Fact Sheet

Staff has recently updated a two-page recruiting resource that provides thumbnail descriptions of the three NCAA divisions as well as key facts and figures.  This resource will be beneficial to Division III coaches and admissions counselors as they are promoting the benefits of Division III. 

Senior Woman Administrator Program

The governance staff is excited to offer a new professional development program for Division III senior woman administrators (SWAs). Offered at the beginning of the NACWAA National Convention, this one and one-half day workshop is specifically designed for SWAs and, in particular, those who are interested in becoming Division III athletics directors (ADs). This year's SWA Program will begin Saturday, October 8, at 8 a.m. and conclude at 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 9, in Kansas City, Missouri.  Topics discussed will include preparing your resume and cover letter for the AD search as well as positioning yourself to become an athletics director and discussing the SWA's current role and responsibilities.  

The NCAA will provide funding for 30 SWAs to attend the program and register for the NACWAA Convention, as well as a year's membership to NACWAA.   The application process will be available on Program Hub, titled "Division III Senior Woman Administrator Program", from August 1 until September 2 at 5 p.m. Eastern time.  

Division III Institutional Performance

On October 1, NCAA staff anticipates the launching of the Division III Institutional Performance Program (IPP).  This data management system consolidates data currently being submitted by Division III institutions into a user-friendly format with reporting functionality, provides better visibility into comparative institutional data, facilitates better informed decisions and strategic planning on campus and provides a secure platform for private peer institution comparisons.  The IPP provides data analysis in four areas: academics, students, leadership and finances.  There is no extra work for institutions as the data for the program is pulled from information already submitted to the NCAA.  Click here for more information.

Purchasing Website

August is the last month to use the $500 credit provided to current active and provisional member schools and conferences during 2015-16 to use on the Division III Identity Initiative Purchasing Website. The site offers materials like co-branded banners, media backdrops, unique signage, T-shirts and other products to promote your affiliation with Division III, as well as items to help activate our partnership with Special Olympics.  Schools and conferences can use the credit by August 31 to buy anything on the purchasing website. The link is ncaadiii.sourceoneordering.com (no "www" or "http" needed).  Access the site by entering the email address of your institution's director of athletics (or for conferences, the commissioner's email address) as the username, and then enter the password you created the first time you logged into the site (those logging in for the first time can create any password).  While approximately two-thirds of Division III schools have not yet used this year's credit, the summer months are a great time to place orders. Assistance with logging in to the site, updating records to reflect a new director of athletics' email address, delegating log-in access to another staff member, resetting passwords and placing orders is available from Christa Hall at Source One Digital.  

Updating your NCAA Contact Information

Is your institution's contact information up to date? For all personnel changes, go to ncaa.org and hover over the "Division III" link on the top right of the page. Select "NCAA On-line Directory", click on the active membership link and then go to your institution's page. In the upper right corner of the page is the submit change link. 

FACULTY ATHLETICS REPRESENTATIVE (FAR) UPDATES

2016 FAR Fellows Institute Class Selected

The Division III governance staff congratulates the faculty athletics representatives (FARs) who were selected to attend the 2016 FAR Fellows Institute, October 14-16 in Indianapolis.

ATHLETICS DIRECT REPORTS (ADR) UPDATES

ADR Institute Nominations Now Open

The second annual Athletics Direct Report (ADR) Institute will take place January 18-19, 2017, at the NCAA Convention in Nashville, Tennessee.  The purpose of the program is to engage Division III ADRs in best practices to oversee and manage athletics departments and to improve the relationships between ADRs and their presidents, athletics directors and conference commissioners.   The two-day program includes both networking opportunities and interactive discussions with ADR peers and other expert presenters.  Event objectives are available here . The Institute provides the costs of travel, meals and lodging for all participants.  Each ADR participant will also receive a registration fee waiver to the NCAA Convention to continue their professional development. Nominations are accepted via Program Hub from conference commissioners, institutional presidents or chancellors, athletics directors, and athletics direct reports. 

SPORT SCIENCE INSTITUTE (SSI) UPDATES

Football Health and Safety Guidelines

Revised guidelines will be issued this fall as a result of the second Safety in College Football Summit. The changes will be endorsed by prominent medical and coaching associations and will serve as an update to guidelines developed at the first Safety in College Football Summit in 2014, based on new data related to concussion, exposure to repetitive head impact during football practices and games, independent medical care, and catastrophic injuries.

DIVERSITY SPOTLIGHT INITIATIVE

Denison University is the recipient of the July Division III Diversity Spotlight Initiative.  Denison created a Diversity and Inclusion Athlete Advisory Group (DIG), comprised of representatives from each of its 23 athletic teams. DIG works to make everyone's athletic experience more inclusive and respectful.  DIG's motto is "Celebrating Diversity; Building Teams" and its mission is to work with university administration, faculty representatives, and student-athletes to build a positive athletics environment for all participants.  The highest priority is to establish a climate of mutual respect and support of individual differences where persons of different race, creed, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnicity, can maximize their full potential and function as a cohesive group, free of prejudice, discrimination and harassment.     Click here to read the full story.

The Diversity Spotlight Initiative recognizes and promotes outstanding diversity related projects, programming and initiatives that are occurring on Division III campuses and in conference offices.  Each month, the program recognizes an institution or conference in regard to a diversity related event, program or initiative.   All recipients receive $500 toward their next diversity initiative.  To submit an initiative for consideration for August, please email Reed Fogle or Julian Jones, with a brief statement (no more than 500 words) as to why your institution or conference office deserves to be the spotlight recipient. Attach a video or photo if applicable. The nomination deadline is August 21.

Award for Diversity and Inclusion

Click here to submit a nomination for the 2017 Award for Diversity and Inclusion not later than September 25.  The award represents a partnership formed by the NCAA and the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA) to recognize and celebrate the initiatives, policies and practices of institutions, athletics departments, and/or conference offices that embrace diversity and inclusion across the intercollegiate athletics community.  This can be through community service, professional development, hiring practices and/or programming activities that enhance opportunities for people of diverse cultures, backgrounds and experiences.  NCAA member institutions, athletics departments and conference offices are eligible to receive the award.  Self-nominations will be welcome and two letters of support must accompany each nomination.   The winner will be recognized at the 2017 NCAA Convention and participate at the MOAA Symposium to be held in conjunction with the NACDA Convention in June 2017.  Please contact Sonja Robinson with any questions.   


SPECIAL OLYMPICS

Spotlight Poll

The NCAA Division III Special Olympics Spotlight Poll is a story-telling initiative located on ncaa.org/D3SpecialOlympics .  It features new stories each month that highlight a Division III and Special Olympics joint activity or event.  The story with the highest number of votes on the 25th day of each month is the winner. That institution or conference receives $500 to use for its next Special Olympics event. Both written and digital submissions are accepted.  Featured stories are selected based on inclusion of the student-athlete perspective and Division III messaging. To submit a story for consideration, please email d3specialolympics@ncaa.org.

July Winner

The Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) hosts Special Olympics Unified tournament won the July Special Olympics Spotlight poll by garnering 44.9 percent (1,348) of the total votes (2,999)! The MIAC will receive $500 to use for its next Special Olympics event.

August Nominees


Click here to vote starting Monday, August  1. The winner will be selected August 25, 2016.

ACADEMIC AND MEMBERSHIP AFFAIRS (AMA)

Rule of the Month

Tryouts (Bylaw 13.11)/ Sports Camps and Clinics (Bylaw 13.12).  

Q: What type of event may an institution host/conduct on its campus?  

A :  Tournament or other competition-based events that do not involve athletics testing may be hosted on an institution's campus (Bylaw 13.11.3.1).  However, "combine" events that involve a mix of competition and testing-based activities without any instruction would be considered "tryout events" and may not occur on an institution's campus (NCAA Division III Educational Column June 17, 2011).

Follow the four-step analysis to determine if your institution may host/conduct an event on your campus:

1. Does the event include competition only?

a. If yes, the event is permissible (Bylaw 13.11.3.1).

b. If no, institution must confirm what activities the event will include.


2. Does the event include instruction only?

a. If yes, the event is permissible (Bylaw 13.12.1.1.1).

b. If no, institution must confirm what activities the event will include.


3. Does the event include "combine" activities or testing components?

a. If yes, the event is not permissible (Bylaw 13.11.2.2) except as permitted under No. 3 below.

b. If no, institution must confirm what activities the event will include.


4. Are all "combine" activities or testing components tied directly to instruction?

a. If yes, the event is permissible.

b. If not, the event is not permissible (Bylaw 13.11.2.2).

For additional information, please see the Division III Camps and Clinics presentation from the 2016 Regional Rules Seminars.
 

Division III Compliance Forms

The 2016 Division III compliance forms can be found here. The forms are available in a fillable PDF format that enables users to type into the form. Institutions should make sure to save the document to a folder or desktop before completing the form, or the work will not be saved. 

Getting in the Game

It's time to get back in the game!  The 2016-17 Division III: Getting in the Game educational tool (http://ncaagetinthegame.org) is now available.  Getting in the Game is a video guide designed to provide institutions with general compliance education for athletics administrators.  Many Division III administrators have found the site helpful as they guide student-athletes through the process of completing annual NCAA compliance forms.  The site also provides links to the Division III homepage and other helpful resources.  

Division III Rules Test

The 2016-17 Division III Rules Test is now available. Simultaneously, the 2015-16 test is no longer available. The 2016-17 test is administered online and may be accessed here . Administering the test online allows users and the national office the ability to view incorrect answers and use these results to gauge educational needs. The 2016-17 Division III Rules Test instructions and PowerPoint are also now available and may be accessed using the same link. The PowerPoint may be used as a resource to supplement educational needs.

As a reminder, all head coaches and athletics administrators with compliance responsibilities must take the rules test annually. Institutions must file a secondary violation for failure to adhere to this annual requirement. Questions relating to the rules test should be directed to Susan Roseman.

New LSDBi

A new version of LSDBi is now available.  Staff has completely updated the technology, the look and the feel of the system.  In addition to the standard features that have always been found in LSDBi, the following significant enhancements have been added:

  • Presentation of Legislation. Current legislation is presented in a format similar to printed and electronic publications, in which the user may simply scroll and see the complete context. 
  • Enhanced Reporting Options . Export data directly to PDF, Excel, Word and more with the custom reporting feature. 
  • Custom Manuals. Create custom abridged manuals that include only the legislation you want to include (e.g., sport-specific manual). Use the electronic version (PDF) or print it yourself. 
  • Save Common Searches and Reports. Save searches related to particular issues and save commonly used reports for quick access whenever you need them.

Click here for more details and information.


NCAA Convention Division III IPOPL

The 2017 Convention Division III Initial Publication of Proposed Legislation (IPOPL) will be available through the NCAA website August 15, 2016. The IPOPL presents all proposed amendments to legislation that were properly submitted in accordance with the July 15 deadline in the NCAA legislative calendar. The IPOPL may contain proposals that are sponsored by only one-member conference or 10 member institutions. If a proposal is not properly co-sponsored by another conference or 10 additional schools by September 1, 2016, the proposal will be automatically withdrawn. Sponsors of the proposals are permitted to refine and change amendments in any manner germane to the proposal as presented until September 15. Such changes may either increase or decrease the modification set forth in the original proposal. 

No new proposals may be submitted by the Division III membership for the 2017 Convention after the July 15 deadline. Member institutions and conferences that wish to offer and suggest revisions to an amendment are encouraged to contact the designated primary contact person listed with each proposal. Such contacts should be made as early as possible and prior to the September 15 deadline to ensure time for appropriate consideration by the sponsors. 

 The IPOPL is not mailed to Division III institutions. The online version of the IPOPL continues to contain all the information of the former hard-copy version and can be printed from your computer in the traditional format. The IPOPL is produced directly from LSDBi each time it is downloaded. Therefore, the content of the publication may change each time it is accessed from the NCAA webpage. As modifications or corrections are made to proposals during the sponsor modification period, updates will be made to LSDBi and those changes will be reflected in this document. The 2017 Convention Division III Second Publication of Proposed Legislation (SPOPL) will be available online September 23. The 2017 Convention Division III Official Notice, which will include final versions of proposed legislation, will continue to be available in both printed and online formats. The Official Notice will be available November 15.

Please contact Sarah Otey if you have any questions regarding the online versions of either the IPOPL or SPOPL. 

NCAA Division III Manuals

Institutions will receive hard copies of the 2016-17 NCAA Division III Manuals shortly after August 1. A full version of the Manual can still be obtained online via LSDBi and a PDF may be downloaded at http://www.ncaapublications.com/ on August 15, 2016.

SAR Update

As we approach the start of the 2016-17 academic year, the student-athlete reinstatement staff reminds institutions to submit all reinstatement and waiver requests through the RSRO system as soon as possible. If the request is urgent (competition pending within the next 10 calendar days), the institution should request expedited review in RSRO. Reinstatement requests will be prioritized based on the next date of competition, the order in which the case was received and the timing of when the violation was discovered. After necessary information is received and a case is complete, the reinstatement staff generally requires 48 hours to complete a thorough review of the information presented before rendering a decision. Thus, if a case file is not complete until less than 48 hours prior to competition, the reinstatement staff may not be able to render a decision prior to the competition. All requests should be submitted to the staff in a timely fashion once the violation is discovered to ensure staff can conduct a complete review prior to the student-athlete's next competition.


Academic Portal Update

Work continues on the development of the Academic Portal, which is intended to serve as a single point of entry and process for all NCAA institutions on academic related requirements.  The development of this portal will not impact the way that institutions develop and submit voluntary academic information, such as NCAA Division III Academic Success Rate data, until Spring 2017.  A communication plan has been developed that will ensure the membership, committees and other constituent groups are informed of and provided regular updates on this initiative.  Please email academicportal@ncaa.org with any questions, comments or concerns.

EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION

Video:  Diverse mindset important every day

Watch this one-minute video from the Office of Inclusion that highlights our membership's responsibility to develop and maintain a diverse community. 

NCAA Postgraduate Internship Program

The NCAA Postgraduate Internship Program annually provides on-the-job learning experiences at the national office in Indianapolis to college graduates who are passionate in their pursuit of a career in college sports administration. The 2017-18 internship application opens August 15 and the deadline is Sept. 23, 2016.  To apply or access more information about the program and eligibility, click here .  This year-long program gives insight to the inner workings of college sports from the national perspective. Interns over the past 25 years have taken their experience and institutional knowledge onto campuses and into the conference offices as full-time administrators. NCAA postgraduate interns are salaried with benefits and receive comprehensive training, mentor assignments and networking opportunities throughout the internship. Additionally, postgraduate interns plan and execute professional development site visits to conference offices, member campuses and affiliate organizations to further their knowledge of the industry and network with today's leaders. Six former Division III student-athletes were selected for the NCAA internship program in the past two classes. The start date for the 2017-18 NCAA intern class will be June 12, 2017. Please email internship@ncaa.org with any questions. 

Woman of the Year Award

The NCAA Woman of the Year award honors graduating female college athletes who have exhausted their eligibility and distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate careers in academics, athletics, service and leadership. Of the 2016 pool of 142 conference honorees, 54 competed in Division I, 37 competed in Division II and 51 competed in Division III. 40 of the nominees are multisport athletes. All conference nominees are forwarded to the Woman of the Year selection committee. The selection committee will choose the top 10 honorees in each division. From among those 30 candidates, the selection committee will determine the top three in each division. Finally, the Committee on Women's Athletics will vote from among the top nine finalists to determine the 2016 NCAA Woman of the Year, to be announced at a dinner October 16 in Indianapolis.  

PROP UPDATES

Playing Rules Committees Survey Results

As part of the process of adding, altering and/or deleting playing rules, the NCAA playing rules committees conduct surveys with the membership to determine the interest in/opposition to existing rules and potential new rules.  The survey results recently conducted in the sport of baseball are available on NCAA.org.

CHAMPIONSHIPS UPDATES

Championships Bid Process

The NCAA championships staff recently announced the commencement of the next Championship Site Selection campaign. The NCAA is looking for hosts and sites for 83 of the 90 championships each year over four academic years, spanning 2018-19 through 2021-22.  

The timeline of the bid process is as follows:

Feb. 1 Bid specifications published (NCAA.org/bids).
June 6 Bid portal opens.
June 27 Bid intentions due.
Aug. 12 Bid responses due.
Sept./Oct. Committee deliberations.
Nov. Committee recommendations.
Dec. Hosts/sites announced.

 NCAA championships staff will be supplying updated communications throughout the process.  If you have questions, please contact Liz Suscha.

THE NCAA RECORD

See the latest appointments, promotions and retirements in the NCAA Record.

COMMITTEE UPDATES

Several committees conducted in-person meetings in July.  

National Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, July 16-17 
Playing and Practice Seasons Subcommittee, July 17
Management Council , July 18-19

KEY DATES:  AUGUST THROUGH OCTOBER

2016
Dates Meeting/Championships Location 
Aug. 3   Presidents Advisory Group (PAG) Meeting Indianapolis, Indiana 
Aug. 4 Presidents Council Meeting Indianapolis, Indiana 
Sept. 6-7 NADIIIAA and D3CA Leadership Meeting Indianapolis, Indiana
Sept. 11-13 Championships Committee Meeting with Sport Chairs Indianapolis, Indiana 
Sept. 14Exploratory Member Orientation Indianapolis, Indiana 
Sept. 15-16Interpretations and Legislation Committee Meeting Indianapolis, Indiana 
Oct. 3-4 Committee on Sportsmanship & Ethical Conduct Meeting Indianapolis, Indiana
Oct. 14-16 FAR Fellows InstituteIndianapolis, Indiana
Oct. 16Woman of the Year Dinner Indianapolis, Indiana
Oct. 17-18Management Council MeetingIndianapolis, Indiana
Oct. 26-27 Presidents Council MeetingIndianapolis, Indiana


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