D3CA COVID-19 COMMUNICATION // October 16, 2020

The NCAA Division III staff has created this bi-weekly communication for the Division III Commissioners Association in an effort 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.

Subcommittee for Legislative Relief, Oct. 16

• Blanket waiver -- minimum amount of participation.   The subcommittee, similar to SAR and SAAC, will review a request for a blanket waiver and provide feedback to the Councils.
• Enrollment implications.  The subcommittee also will discuss future enrollment implications due to the proposed blanket waiver, specifically, what are the enrollment expectations for any additional season of competition that would result from the blanket waiver  The subcommittee will provide direction to the Councils concerning enrollment and possible waiver criteria if a student-athlete wants to participate while enrolled in less than full time.

COVID-19 Playing and Practice Season Internal Working Group

• Resocialization of Collegiate Basketball FAQ.  The Sport Science Institute released a Frequently Asked Questions resource related to the Core Principles of Resocialization of Collegiate Basketball.  The FAQ includes more focus on the recommendations, such as the impact of the guidelines on Divisions II and III, guidance for student-athletes returning from winter breaks, and protocol for back-to-back games in one weekend, among other related topics. It also provides updated guidance for testing, differentiating high transmission risk sports that are played indoors versus outdoors.
• COVID-19 Guidance for Multiple Teams in the Same Location.  In order to assist member schools finalizing plans for the upcoming college basketball season, the NCAA has released new recommendations to guide planning for COVID-19 mitigation when multiple teams are competing in the same location, including multiple-team events. The Multiple Teams in Same Location guidance is important in order to mitigate the risk of infection across multiple teams in a shared environment.  Key takeaways include:​​​
  • The event site should create a bubble-like atmosphere for all activities and all on-site rooms, including locker room facilities and dining services.
  • Testing expenses are the responsibility of the individual school prior to departure and are then the responsibility of the event operator.
  • Although public health authorities may determine if spectators are allowed for competitions, crowds should be spaced properly and should not exceed 25% capacity.
• Playing Rules Waivers Related to COVID-19 for Winter Sports.  Due to challenges resulting from COVID-19, playing rules waivers for several sports have been granted for the 2020-21 winter season. Click here to access the waivers found under “Playing Rules Resources” on the playing rules page on ncaa.org. The playing rules waivers are consistent with the guidance included in the previously published NCAA Resocialization of Collegiate Sport documents. In this regard, the NCAA playing rules committees and staff will continue to monitor any additional developments and make adjustments as appropriate.  If you have any questions or need any additional information, please contact Rachel Seewald .

UPCOMING MEETINGS AND ANTICIPATED DISCUSSIONS

Management Council, Oct. 19-20

• Championship Recommendations.  The Council will review and act on the winter and spring championship recommendations.
• Blanket waiver -- minimum amount of participation.  The Council will review the waiver request with feedback from SAR, SAAC and SLR and forward a recommendation to Presidents Council.

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.