MONTHLY UPDATE // ISSUE NO. 169 // FEBRUARY 2020
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 listserv. 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.

HIGHLIGHTS

Hot Topics
360 Proof Updates
ADR Updates
SSI Updates
Athletics Communication Updates
Diversity Spotlight
Special Olympics
AMA Updates
Educational Information
PROP Updates
Committee Updates
Key Dates
 

HOT TOPICS

Name, Image and Likeness

At the direction of the NCAA Board of Governors, Division III has begun discussing how to modify and modernize relevant NIL bylaws and policies consistent with the Association’s values and principles.  During the NCAA Convention, the national SAAC and both the Management and Presidents Councils discussed next steps, while delegates engaged in roundtable discussion during the Division III Issues Forum.  Leading up to the April council meetings, key governance committees will review proposed models and propose options.  In the spring, the membership will have multiple opportunities to provide feedback (for example, Conference and Regional Rules Seminars, Division III Commissioners Association meeting, NADIIIAA Summer Forum and Division III Day at CoSIDA).  The division will propose and act no later than the January 2021 NCAA Convention.  Additional information can be found on the Division III section of the NIL webpage on ncaa.org.

 

2020 NCAA Convention Voting Results

The 2020 NCAA Convention was held Jan. 22-25 in Anaheim, California.  Delegates adopted 11 of the 12 Division III proposals.  The final voting results grid and the final roll call vote report are now available on ncaa.org.  A summary of each proposal appears in the AMA section of this monthly update.  All Division III PowerPoints and resources from the Convention also are located in the 2020 Convention resource webpage on the Division III homepage.

Arrington Settlement

In late November, the Sport Science Institute sent a memo announcing the final approval and effective date of the class settlement agreement for the medical monitoring portion of Arrington v. NCAA, which has implications for member institutions and their concussion-related policies and procedures. The NCAA Office of Legal Affairs also sent a memo to the general counsel of each member institution or, at institutions where counsel has not been identified, the president/chancellor. The purpose of this memo was to notify campus risk management staff of the established effective date of the settlement agreement for Arrington v. NCAA, and to urge timely institutional review of the terms of this settlement.
 

The settlement agreement provides NCAA member institutions with an opportunity to benefit from a release from certain legal claims that might otherwise be brought by members of the settlement class. To benefit from the release, member institutions must certify in writing that they have put in place a concussion management plan that meets the requirements of Section IX.A. of the settlement agreement (described in the attached FAQ document). Certifications must be delivered to certain court-identified settlement representatives within six months of the settlement agreement effective date of November 18, 2019, which means schools will have to deliver their written certifications no later than May 18, 2020. A Frequently Asked Questions document   has been provided to facilitate member institutions’ review of the settlement terms.  Additional questions may be submitted to the NCAA National Office via the Sport Science Institute at ssi@ncaa.org.

National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC)

The Division III Financial Aid Committee recently discussed changes NACAC made to its Code of Ethics and their potential impact on compliance with Bylaw 15 (Financial Aid) for Division III member institutions. The NACAC is a member association for college admissions counselors, of which many NCAA institutions are members. In September, NACAC voted to remove four provisions from its Code of Ethics. These provisions were related to early decision application plans, the recruitment of prospective students after the student has committed to an institution, enrollment incentives, and recruitment of transfer students.

All member institutions are reminded of their obligation to comply with Bylaw 15 regardless of any policy decisions they may make in light of the changes to the NACAC Code of Ethics. Refer to  “Staying Compliant with NCAA Division III Financial Aid Requirements, a resource that highlights  compliance as an institutional responsibility involving all campus constituencies with a role in enrollment efforts (for example, admissions, financial aid, development, athletics). Please direct all questions and comments to Eric Hartung .

Division III Health and Safety Survey

The Division III health and safety pilot survey was recently sent to all athletics healthcare administrators.  In total, 240 institutions completed the survey. The research staff will send a short survey to participating institutions to gather feedback on the process, and staff will share the responses with Management Council during its April meeting.  Thank you to everyone who participated in the survey.

Division III Webinars

A webinar offering a recap of the 2020 Division III Convention will be from 1:30 to 2 p.m. Eastern time, Tuesday, Feb. 4

Future webinars will be conducted from 1:30 to 2 p.m. Eastern time on the following dates and topics:
  • March 3 – Sport Science Institute Updates.
  • April 7 - Federal and State Legislation Working Group Update (Name, Image and Likeness).
Each webinar will be limited to the first 250 participants. All past webinar PowerPoints are on the Division III website. 

Nominate Now:  LGBTQ OneTeam Recognition Awards

Division III and the office of inclusion are proud to announce the new annual LGBTQ OneTeam Awards - the perfect opportunity to recognize those who foster inclusive environments! Celebrate student-athletes, coaches and staff who self-identify as members of the LGBTQ community, as well as athletics departments or conference offices who make collegiate athletics a welcoming space for everyone. The application period is now open. Visit the NCAA Program Hub to submit nominations until June 1. The recipients will be announced at the 2021 NCAA Convention.

LGBTQ OneTeam Program

Are you interested in making your campus or conference more LGBTQ inclusive? Request a Division III LGBTQ OneTeam facilitator today.  A total of sixty (60) individuals are now certified to facilitate the Division III LGBTQ OneTeam Program – a free two-hour interactive session for coaches and administrators, at a Division III institution or conference. For more details and instructions on how to book a free session, please visit the  Division III LGBTQ OneTeam Program webpage.

Action Item:  Division III Week

The ninth annual celebration of Division III Week, scheduled for April 13-19, is a great opportunity to call attention to the unique student-athlete experience enjoyed at our member institutions.  Division III members are asked to highlight the activities and achievements of current student-athletes through scheduling an academic, athletics, co-curricular or extracurricular/ community service activity. The  Division III Week Communications Kit serves as a planning guide, and further information about Division III Week is  available online. Please let us know, in advance, all planned Division III Week activities, either by submitting information via the  online form, or sending it to  d3identity@ncaa.org.  Providing this information in advance will assist the NCAA national office's promotion of the full array of planned activities.  If you have questions, please contact   Adam Skaggs.

Don't Bet on It

With the Super Bowl this coming weekend, the NCAA reminds you and your student-athletes to Don’t Bet On It .  Betting on a pro sporting event is a sports wagering violation that risks eligibility.  For additional resources, click here .
 

360 PROOF UPDATES

Monthly Prevention Tips

It’s Super Bowl weekend!  This event tends to be a potentially high-risk weekend related to a range of behaviors (even more so if a local team is playing in the game).  Consider what needs to be done on and campus, if anything, to prepare for this weekend. 

With the Super Bowl, Valentine’s Day, and St. Patrick’s Day all within a few weeks of each other, re-watch the outstanding webinar from March 19, 2019, with national expert Byron Zamboanga on pregaming, drinking games and implications for work with student athletes.

Re-watch “Getting Wasted: Why College Students Drink Too Much and Party So Hard,” the webinar from April 11, 2018.  Author and researcher Dr. Tom Vander Ven provides insights from a sociologist’s perspective with implications for 360 Proof campuses.

Webinar Series

360 Proof offers a monthly webinar series to bring current prevention research to a Division III and NASPA Small College and University audience.  Remaining sessions for 2020 include: 
  • 3 p.m. Eastern time, March 10:  “Why Do Student Athletes Drink?” Byron Zamboanga, Professor of Psychology, Smith College.
  • 1 p.m. Eastern time, April 8: "Engaging Parents as Partners in Prevention”,  Amaura Kemmerer, Northeastern University. 
All 360 Proof account holders will receive an invitation to attend these webinar sessions.  Please contact Leah Kareti  with any questions about 360 Proof.

NASPA Annual Conference

The Division III governance staff will be hosting a session, “Collaboration and Partnerships: Communicating the Value of NCAA Division III Athletics to Support Enrollment” from 11:15 a.m. to 12:05 p.m., March 30, in the Austin Convention Center, room 9B, in Texas.  You also can book a one-on-one appointment or come to the exhibit booth.

Email  
experthelp@360proof.org for details.
 

ATHLETICS DIRECT REPORT UPDATES

2020 Division III Athletics Direct Report Institute Recap

Twenty-eight (28) athletics direct reports (ADRs) gathered at the 2020 NCAA Convention for a day and a-half-long program focused on enhancing the integration of athletics into the institution. Sample participant follow up action items include the following:
  • Increase attendance and visibility of ADR and student affairs staff at athletics events.
  • Work with budget office to better align with NCAA reporting requirements.
  • Pay attention to student-athlete sleep concerns.
  • Educate myself about NCAA compliance.
  • Enhance communication about campus culture to seek greater alignment between departments.
The 2020 ADR Institute nomination process will open June 15.  Please contact  Leah Kareti with any questions about the event. 

SPORT SCIENCE INSTITUTE UPDATES

Catastrophic Injury Reporting

A memo was sent out to serve as a reminder that all schools are required to report annually on all fatalities that occur during athletically related and nonathletically related events, near-fatalities and catastrophic injuries sustained by student-athletes, as required by 2014 Association-wide legislation. To assist in the collection of this data, the NCAA Sport Science Institute has partnered with the National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research and the Datalys Center. In addition, an online reporting tool has been developed to facilitate reporting. Individuals at member schools who have been designated to report a catastrophic event occurring to an NCAA student-athlete must submit data detailing student-athlete fatalities, near fatalities and catastrophic injuries (for example, injuries and illnesses related to the head, neck, spine, heart/cardiac arrest, lungs, heatstroke, sickle cell trait associated collapse, and eyes). In most cases, the person responsible for reporting a fatality or catastrophic injury holds the position of athletics health care administrator, athletic trainer, team physician, compliance administrator, director of athletics or risk manager; however, schools have the flexibility to designate the most appropriate individual on their campus based on their own policies and procedures. For more information and for answers to frequently asked questions about fatality and catastrophic injury reporting, visit the NCAA website at ncaa.org/injuryreporting .

NCAA-DoD Grand Alliance Concussion Conference

In partnership with the Atlantic Coast Conference and Virginia Tech, the NCAA Sport Science Institute invites you to save the date for the Fourth Annual NCAA-DoD Grand Alliance Concussion Conference: A New Era of Scientific Collaboration.  This day-long event will be Thursday, April 23 on the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg, Virginia, and will build on the first three sport-related concussion conferences hosted in partnership with the Big Ten Conference and the University of Wisconsin; the Pac-12 Conference and the University of California, Los Angeles; and the Patriot League along with the United States Military Academy. During the event, concussion experts and researchers will share preliminary and recently publicized data from the NCAA-U.S. Department of Defense Grand Alliance , the largest concussion study and educational grand challenge ever conducted.  Up to 250 participants from NCAA member schools will be able to attend this conference, at no cost. Each participant is responsible for arranging and covering the cost of hotel accommodations and any transportation to and from the conference.  More information and registration details will be emailed to member schools in early spring.

ATHLETICS COMMUNICATION UPDATES

Action Request:  NCAA and D3SIDA Recognition Award

The next submission round for the NCAA Division III and D3SIDA recognition award is now open.  All submissions must be received not later than Feb. 15.  Click here  for more details. The recognition program seeks to honor the best work - including news releases, feature articles, videos, blogs and other materials - produced by Division III campus and conference athletics communication offices.  Each top honoree will receive a $1,500 credit to attend DIII Day at the annual CoSIDA convention. A panel of D3SIDA members will select the recipients, with winners publicized through ncaa.org and social media platforms. Participants can self-nominate or be nominated by peers. Entries should be submitted via email to  d3identity@ncaa.org with "NCAA Division III and D3SIDA Recognition Award Nominee" as the subject.

CoSIDA Student Program

For the fourth consecutive year, Division III will support eight women and/or ethnic minority students to attend the annual CoSIDA Convention, including Division III Day, June 7-10, through the  Division III CoSIDA Student Program
  • Program participants who meet the following criteria will be given preference: 
  • Female and/or ethnic minority students,
  • Current junior class academic standing;
  • Work experience in a campus or conference athletics communication/sports information office;
  • Strong interest in a career in Division III athletics communication (sports information). 
At the 2020 CoSIDA Convention in Las Vegas, the selected students will participate in Division III Day, and be exposed to the CoSIDA Convention, its delegates and the athletics communication profession. Grant recipients will attend welcome and debriefing meetings and be assigned a mentor.  The goal is to build the pipeline in an effort to ultimately diversify the Division III athletics communication landscape.

The nomination/application process will be available on the NCAA Program Hub from Feb. 17 through March 15.

Conference Office Instagram Takeovers

The Division III conference office Instagram takeover is officially underway. Since Oct. 19, Division III conferences have been taking over the @NCAADIII Instagram account, showcasing their offices, initiatives, student-athletes and more. In addition to the takeovers, thus far, NCAA staff have highlighted nearly half of Division III’s conferences on the Instagram timeline with the founding year, the number of member institutions and a fun fact. In less than three months, the @NCAADIII account gained over 3,000 followers! Visit the Division III Instagram page today at  instagram.com/ncaadiii/.

DIVERSITY SPOTLIGHT INITIATIVE

The Old Dominion Athletics Conference (ODAC) is the recipient of the December/January Division III Diversity Spotlight Initiative.  The conference hosted a workshop for 51 Student-Athlete Advisory Committee representatives and advisors. The workshop focused on social justice and the intersection of  race, inclusion, and diversity within athletics.  The participants learned the historical origin of racial inequalities and societal systems that inherently disadvantage certain groups. Everyone also had opportunities to reflect on their own identities, privileges, and power.  Click here for for a recap and video for more information.

The Diversity Spotlight Initiative recognizes and promotes outstanding diversity related projects, programming and initiatives occurring on Division III campuses and in conference offices.  All selected recipients receive $500 toward their next diversity initiative.  To submit an initiative for consideration for May, email Louise McCleary, 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 Feb. 21.

Diversity Tip of the Month

Use the NCAA SWA Resources.  Over the past 18 months, the office of inclusion has released three resources as part of an action plan that was developed based on the findings in the Optimizing the Senior Woman Administrator Research Report (2018). The first resource clarifies what exactly the designation is and why it's important. The second resource provides discussion questions about the designation that include commentary on what success looks like for the designation and how athletics directors, conference commissioners, senior woman administrators and other relevant campus leaders can help optimize the role.  The newest resource provides division-specific tips on how to overcome barriers in the way of the SWA having maximum positive impact.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS

Spotlight Poll

The NCAA Division III Special Olympics Spotlight Poll is a story-telling initiative 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. Written and digital submissions both are accepted.  Featured stories are selected based on inclusion of the student-athlete perspective and Division III messaging. To submit a story for consideration, email d3specialolympics@ncaa.org.

December/January Winner

After 360 total votes, UNE SAAC hosts Spread the Word Inclusion Unified Sports® basketball exhibition  won the December/January Special Olympics Spotlight Poll by gathering 56% of the total votes.  The Nor’Easters will receive $500 to use for its next Special Olympics event.

February Nominees

Hamline Takes Home SOMN Hammer
Houghton Hosts Third Annual Special Olympics Bocce Tournament
Hilbert Baseball Assists Special Olympics

Click here  to vote starting Monday, Feb. 3. The winner will be announced Feb. 26.

ACADEMIC AND MEMBERSHIP AFFAIRS (AMA)

Rule of the Month

An institution may provide expenses for practice associated with an away-from-home contest, practice held within the state of the campus, or within 100 miles of the campus if the practice is occurring at a site outside the state of the campus. With the adoption of Proposal No. 2020-5, institutions are now permitted to provide practice expenses for the sports of golf and swimming and diving that occur during an official vacation period at any location in the continental US. Since this proposal has an immediate effective date , an institution may begin to provide expenses pursuant to this proposal provided the practice occurs during an official vacation period, the student-athlete is eligible for competition and the student-athlete does not miss class. For answers to many of your questions concerning this proposal please see the 2020 NCAA Convention DIII Legislative Proposals Question and Answer Guide. 

2020 Legislative Proposals

Division III delegates gathered in Anaheim, California to vote on 12 Division III proposals (11 legislative and 1 resolution) during the 2020 Convention. Click here for a summary of the voting on these proposals.

Social Media Resource

Division III’s new social media resource made its debut at Convention.  If you weren’t able to get a copy at the Business Session, go to the following link for a digital version: Social Media Resource .

2020 Regional Rules Seminars

NCAA Constitution 3.2.4.16 (Convention and Regional Rules Seminar attendance) requires all NCAA Division III institutions to attend the NCAA Regional Rules Seminar at least once every three years. Registration will be available in the spring. Before the seminars, attendees are encouraged to review the LSDBi and RSRO training videos to prepare for on-site learning objectives.  Click here for a list of institutions that are required to attend a 2020 regional rules seminar.  Seminars will be May 18-20 in Columbus, Ohio and June 1-3 in Los Angeles, California.  Institutions that are members of the conferences hosting the 2020 Division III Conference Rules Seminar in Worcester, Massachusetts, are permitted to count their attendance at that seminar to fulfill the once-in-three-year requirement.

2019-20 Institutional Self-Study Guide

NCAA Constitution 6.3.1 requires all Division III institutions to conduct a comprehensive self-study and evaluation of their athletics programs at least once every five years. The Institutional Self-Study Guide (ISSG) is due at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time June 1, 2020. The ISSG can be accessed via the My Apps link on ncaa.org (if access has been granted by the institution’s single-source sign-on administrator).  Click  here  for a list of institutions required to complete the ISSG for the 2019-20 year. To see when your institution's ISSG is due, check the information on your institution's NCAA Directory page. The directory can be accessed from the My Apps area on ncaa.org.  Two resources, the  Institutional Self-Study Guide Instructions and the  Best Practices for Completing the ISSG are designed to assist member institutions in completing the ISSG. Institutions that need additional assistance are asked to send questions via email to  issg@ncaa.org.
 

EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION

Student-Athlete Leadership Forum

The NCAA is now accepting nominations for the 2020 Student-Athlete Leadership Forum, which will be April 16-19 in Los Angeles, via the NCAA Program Hub .  The application process closes on at noon Eastern time Feb. 17The Student-Athlete Leadership Forum has helped more than 5,000 student-athletes grow personally and professionally as a result of their attendance. Student-athletes selected to attend the forum return to campus with invaluable leadership skills, a refined understanding of the relationship among personal values, core beliefs and behavioral styles, and the support of a close personal network of like-minded peers to provide continued connection and dialogue after the program concludes. This best-in-class programming experience serves as a transformational opportunity for student-athletes and administrators to build a leadership toolkit and develop vital self-awareness to facilitate the realization of their potential.

For Division III in 2019-20, institutions in Region 4 are eligible to attend. Click here for a list of eligible Division III institutions.  All Region 4 institutions can submit nominations on a first-come, first-served basis. Each eligible institution can send up to two student-athletes and one administrator.  Click here for detailed criteria for eligible participants.  Athletics directors and SWAs in Region 4 may submit nominations via the “Nominator” tab in NCAA Program Hub by entering the first name, last name and email address of their nominees.  Once individuals are nominated, they will receive an e-mail asking them to log onto Program Hub to complete the program application.

NCAA Inclusion Forum

The NCAA office of inclusion opened registration for the 2020 NCAA Inclusion Forum , which will be April 17-19, at the Hilton Denver City Center .  Visit the Inclusion Forum registration webpage to register and learn more about the event. Registration closes Friday, March 13, and spots are limited. The NCAA Inclusion Forum brings together leaders in higher education and intercollegiate athletics and student-athletes passionate about improving the educational and professional environment for student-athletes, coaches and staff. This ninth annual gathering will offer dynamic programming in the core areas of disabilities, international students, LGBTQ inclusion, race and ethnicity, and women’s issues.  This year’s theme is Inclusion Rising: Reaching New Heights in Creating Cultures of Belonging. Please contact Craig Malveaux , NCAA coordinator of inclusion, with any registration questions.

NCAA Basketball Coaches Academy

The NCAA Basketball Coaches Academy on May 6-7 in Phoenix will provide current, full-time intercollegiate basketball coaches at NCAA member institutions an opportunity to expand their knowledge and insight into the world of intercollegiate basketball coaching. During the academy, the NCAA will educate, and train selected participants in a variety of areas that encourage effective coaching at the intercollegiate level with focus on the holistic well-being and development of the student-athlete. The application opened Jan. 20 and closes at noon Eastern time, Feb. 17.  Current full-time assistant coaches at NCAA member institutions are eligible to apply.  For more information about the NCAA Basketball Coaches Academy and to access the application, click here .

Career In Sports Forum

The Forum, May 28-31 in Indianapolis, is an annual educational program that brings together 200 selected NCAA student-athletes to learn about and explore potential careers in sports, particularly college athletics. This four-day forum is designed to help student-athletes chart their career paths as they network with and learn from current athletics professionals.  The application opened Jan. 20 and closes at noon Eastern time, Feb. 17 . Attendees must be nominated by their institution or conference, and only junior and senior student-athletes are eligible to attend. NCAA member schools may nominate up to five student-athletes to apply.  Nominees must have participated in an NCAA-sponsored sport during the current academic year at the time of the application deadline. Student-athletes who fit these criteria but graduate before the forum are eligible to participate.  For more information on the Career in Sports Forum and to access the application, go here.

Pathway Program

The Pathway Program is designed to elevate senior-level athletics administrators to the next step as a director of athletics or conference commissioners. This yearlong program is an intensive, experiential learning opportunity for selected participants who work at an NCAA school or conference in any division.  Since its inception in 1997, the Pathway Program (formerly the Fellows Program) has produced more than 200 alumni and fifty-eight have become directors of athletics or conference commissioners in intercollegiate athletics. The application opened on Jan. 20 and closes at noon Eastern time, Feb. 17 .  Applicants must be full-time, senior-level employees at a NCAA member institution or conference office and must have supervisor approval to participate in the program. Visit the program website here for detailed selection criteria, eligibility requirements and more information on the Pathway.

Effective Facilitation Workshop

NCAA leadership development conducts the Effective Facilitation Workshops annually, an interactive professional development experience where energetic and student-athlete centric administrators and coaches receive personalized feedback on their specific leadership styles while gaining skills in active learning and engaging facilitation. This year’s workshop will be June 5-6 in Las Vegas.  With competencies developed at the workshop, participants will be able to apply their elevated facilitation skill levels on campus or within their conference office to create meaningful group discussions with student-athletes and run effective meetings for department staff, all with the awareness of how and when new skills are developed.  The application opened Jan. 20 and closes at noon Eastern time, Feb. 17.  Current full-time employees at NCAA member schools, conference offices or affiliate organizations are eligible to apply to the workshop. For more information on the Effective Facilitation Workshop, click here.

Dr. Charles Whitcomb Leadership Institute

The Dr. Charles Whitcomb Leadership Institute, July 11-18 in Dallas, provides tailored programming to assist ethnic minorities in strategically mapping and planning their careers in athletics administration by providing professional development programming over the course of a calendar year.  The institute includes two, one-week programs at the beginning and conclusion of that year.  Combining in-person sessions, continuing education resources, and the well-connected alumni group, participants not only enhance, and master skill sets pertinent to their success in their current roles, but they also explore future career aspirations. With a successful track record in producing the most influential leaders in college sports, the institute provides participants with a transformational and empowering experience that will define their careers for decades. The application opened Jan. 20 and closes at noon Eastern time, Feb. 17.  Applicants must be a full-time employee at an NCAA membership school or conference office. Visit the program website here for detailed selection criteria and more information on the Dr. Charles Whitcomb Leadership Institute.

Women Leaders in College Sports Institutes

Applications for the NCAA/Women Leaders in College Sports 2020 Women's Leadership Symposium (WLS), April 22-24 in Kansas City, Missouri and the Institute for Administrative Advancement (IAA), West - May 27-30 in the Denver area and East – June 15-18 in the Washington, D.C. area, are open through 5 p.m. Central time, Feb. 10 . WLS is perfect for administrators with approximately one to three years of experience in college athletics. Participants will develop their skills, build their network, and learn more about women working in college athletics. IAA is for those further along in their careers, with approximately three to six years of experience. Participants will be inspired by engaging speakers and pioneers in women's athletics. There are a variety of scholarships available to those who may need assistance to attend. Discover options and apply here .

DiSC Assessments Available

Use of the DiSC assessment is strongly encouraged on member campuses. Participants gain personalized feedback on their specific leadership style, and student-athletes, coaches and administrators gain valuable understanding of everyone’s unique behavioral style. Applying this knowledge can develop effective team dynamics, leadership, and communication among the group. In 2019-20, each Division III institution interested in using the DiSC resource will be provided assessments for up to 50 student-athletes, as well as 30 coaches or administrators, at no cost. Funding is limited, and requests will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Click here, to learn more about the DiSC resource.

PLAYING RULES OVERSIGHT PANEL (PROP) UPDATES

Baseball Rules

The NCAA Baseball Rules Committee has approved two new playing rules. Even though it was not deemed a year for baseball rule changes, the committee made changes to preserve the image of the game and student-athlete safety respectively.
  • The proposal regarding catcher’s chest protector certifications has a delayed implementation with an effective date of January 1, 2021. It will be required that all catcher’s chest protectors be certified to the NOCSAE commotio cordis protective standard at the time of manufacture, or they must wear an alternative protective device certified to the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) commotio cordis protective device standard at the time of manufacture. More information can be found here, under “updates.”
  • A 20-second play clock will be enforced on all plays. The time will be kept by a field umpire.
As a reminder, beginning with the 2020 season, baseball bat barrels must be a color that is predominantly contrasting to the color of the baseball. A list of the model numbers for BBCOR bats that do not meet the playing rule can be found here , under “updates.”

Effective with the 2021 season, Divisions II and III are required to conduct bat testing prior to each regular season series or single dates of competition. Information regarding the NCAA bat testing protocol can be found here, under “updates.”

Women's Bowling

The NCAA Women’s Bowling Committee is accepting rules change proposals to be considered for discussion at its annual meeting in April. Please use this  link to record your proposal and rationale. This form must be fully completed for the proposal to be accepted. All proposals must be received by Friday, Feb. 14.

Football Rules Committee

The NCAA Football Rules Committee will meet Feb. 26-28 in Indianapolis.

Softball Bat List

The most recent NCAA Approved Softball Bat List has been posted on the NCAA Softball Umpiring Home Plate and NCAA Softball Playing Rules websites. Click here for the most recent softball rules interpretations.

Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Rules Committee

The NCAA Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving Rules Committee is accepting rules change proposals to be considered for discussion at its annual meeting in May. Please use this  link to record your proposal and rationale. This form must be fully completed for the proposal to be accepted. All proposals must be received by Feb. 10.  Click here to view the most recent rules review memo from the men’s and women’s swimming and diving secretary-rules editor.

Men's and Women's Tennis Rules Subcommittee

The NCAA Men’s and Women’s Tennis Rules Subcommittee has been established to oversee the playing rules modifications for all three divisions for the sport of tennis. NCAA tennis will continue to follow the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) playing rules, however, the NCAA subcommittee is charged with collaborating with the ITA on potential rules changes and/or recommending rules modifications to the ITA rules. The subcommittee roster can be found here.

Women's Volleyball Rules Survey

Click here to access the 2019 women’s volleyball rules survey results.

COMMITTEE UPDATES

Several committees conducted in-person meetings in December and January. 

Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports, December 9-10
Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, January 21-22

Management Council, January 22
Presidents Council, January 23
NCAA Convention, Division III Issues Forum, January 24
NCAA Convention, Division III Business Session, January 25
 

KEY DATES FOR FEBRUARY THROUGH APRIL

2020
Dates Meeting/Championships Location 
Feb. 4-5  Championships Committee Indianapolis, IN
Feb. 10-11 Financial Aid Committee Indianapolis, IN
Feb. 18-19 Membership Committee Indianapolis, IN
Feb. 19 Nominating Committee Indianapolis, IN
Feb. 20-21 Interpretations and Legislative Committee Indianapolis, IN 
Feb. 24-25 Administrative Committee Louisville, KY
Mar. 3 Men's Basketball Selection Show - 12:30 p.m. Eastern time NCAA.com
Mar. 3 Women's Basketball Selection Show - 2:30 p.m. Eastern tim NCAA.com
Mar. 9 Women's Ice Hockey Selection Show - 10 a.m. Eastern time NCAA.com
Mar. 9 Men's Ice Hockey Selection Show - 10:30 a.m. Eastern time NCAA.com
Mar. 13-14 Wrestling Championship Cedar Rapids, IA
Mar. 13-14 Indoor Men's and Women's Track and Field Championship Winston-Salem, NC
Mar. 18-21 Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Championship Greensboro, NC
Mar. 20-21 Women's Ice Hockey Championship TBD
Mar. 24 Strategic Planning and Finance Committee Indianapolis, IN
Mar. 27-28 Men's Ice Hockey Championship Buffalo, NY
Apr. 15-16 Committee on Women's Athletics Denver, CO
Apr. 15-16 Minority Opportunities and Interest Committee Denver, CO
Apr. 15-16 NCAA Inclusion Forum Denver, CO
Apr. 18-19 Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Indianapolis, IN
Apr. 20-21 Management Council Indianapolis, IN
Apr. 24-25 Men's Volleyball Championship Dubuque, IA
Apr. 28-29 Presidents Council Indianapolis, IN

 
This email was sent to NCAA Division III presidents/chancellors serving on committees, directors of athletics, athletics direct reports, faculty athletics representatives, senior woman administrators, sports information directors, compliance directors, commissioners, associate and assistant commissioners, provisional/reclassifying/exploratory members, primary and associate members of National SAAC based on contact information in the NCAA Directory.
National Collegiate Athletic Association, 700 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204 US

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