The NCAA Division III staff has created this bi-weekly communication for the Division III Commissioners Association to provide up-to-date communications on the constantly evolving impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Division III membership. Please share this communication with your conference members.
RECENT GOVERNANCE MEETINGS AND KEY COVID-19 DISCUSSIONS AND OUTCOMES
Championships Committee, March 31
Spring formats. The committee finalized the formats for all confirmed spring championships and determined bracket/field sizes will be as follows:
Baseball
48
Softball
48
Men's Golf
37 (plus 6 individuals)
Women's Golf
25 (plus 6 individuals)
Men's Lacrosse
31
Women's Lacrosse
37
Men's Tennis
37
Women's Tennis
42
Men's Outdoor Track and Field
17 (14 relays)
Women's Outdoor Track and Field
19 (14 relays)
Men's Volleyball
12
Grace period. The committee determined that maximum flexibility should be afforded to conferences that are in either year one or two of the grace period. Staff will work with the respective sport committees to determine how this applies to AQs on a sport by sport basis. The Championships Committee also will review previously denied waivers requesting an extension of the grace period for reconsideration.
Waiting period. The committee determined that a conference in either year one or two of the waiting period must meet the AQ standards applicable for the specific academic year to satisfy the waiting period requirements. For 2020-21, the AQ standard for a conference with an existing AQ is that it maintains a minimum of four-core members; therefore, this same standard would be applied to conferences in year one or year two of the waiting period.
Selection criteria. The committee determined that the following selection criteria will be added for Spring 2021 championships only, to aid sport committees in rankings and selections:
Primary criteria: results versus teams above .750
Secondary criteria: results versus teams above .500
Subcommittee for Legislative Relief, March 24
Enrollment flexibility waiver. The committee addressed eligibility and full-time enrollment waivers. It is recommending a blanket waiver for the 2021-22 academic year that would allow student-athletes to participate while enrolled less than full-time for both semesters provided they have graduated or will graduate during the year, as follows:
If a student-athlete has graduated, then they may be enrolled in a minimum of six (6) credit hours each semester in a second baccalaureate, graduate program or classes approved by an academic authority outside of athletics that progresses a professional or career goal.
If not yet graduated, then a student-athlete would need to be in at a minimum of six (6) credit hours during the Fall 2021 semester and then satisfy the final term exception in the spring semester of 2022; or
If a student-athlete graduates in the Fall 2021 semester, then they could participate while enrolled in a minimum of six (6) credit hour in the Spring 2022 semester in a second baccalaureate, graduate program or classes approved by an academic authority outside of athletics that progresses a professional or career goal.
If approved by Management Council, Presidents Council will review the blanket waiver proposal during its April 28 videoconference.
UPCOMING MEETINGS AND ANTICIPATED DISCUSSIONS
Management Council, April 12-13
Enrollment flexibility waivers. See Subcommittee for Legislative Relief.
Playing and practice season. The Council will review the Interpretations and Legislation Committee’s (ILC) recommendation to let the alternative playing and practice season waiver expire at the end of the 2020-21 academic year and allow the existing Article 17 regulations to apply for the 2021-22 academic year.
Virtual recruiting. The Council will review a legislative proposal from ILC to incorporate the elements of a current blanket waiver allowing member institutions to conduct virtual athletics recruitment presentations that involve multiple prospective student-athletes.
With every communication, we also anticipate additional questions. Please send all questions to d3identity@ncaa.org. Stay healthy and safe and thank you for your continued collaboration and leadership.
This email was sent to the NCAA Division III Commissioners Association