Division III schools will need to meet contest minimums in winter sports or apply for a waiver based on individual circumstances, the Division III Championships Committee decided during its Feb. 1-2 meeting.
The Championships Committee discussed the effects of event/contest cancellations in various parts of the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the concern among some in the membership about meeting contest minimums in winter sports. While the committee did not feel the need to reduce the minimums in winter sports or issue a blanket waiver, members agreed to continue to monitor the situation and reconsider reducing minimums soon if conditions warrant. The committee emphasized that the existing waiver process remains available for schools that are unable to meet minimum contest requirements because of circumstances related to COVID-19 (or other catastrophic circumstances) and that the Championships Committee is committed to working with the membership to ensure that schools can be eligible for winter sport championships.
Bench size policies
The committee also revisited conversations begun in 2019 about bench size, with consideration given to enhancing the student-athlete experience in the postseason. At that time, the Championships Committee approved moderate increases in bench sizes based on the squad size limit for the respective sport. The increases were effective for the 2020-21 academic year, though only spring sport championships were conducted that year, and then applied again for the 2021 fall sport championships. Conversations continue about further increasing bench sizes to provide more opportunities for deserving student-athletes to fully experience the postseason.
Budget priorities and recommendations for Strategic Planning and Finance Committee
The committee began discussing potential initiatives for the Division III Strategic Planning and Finance Committee to consider in June for the remaining current budget cycle. Committee members noted their support for reinstating two championship initiatives implemented in 2019: eliminating conference matchups in the first round and providing local ground transportation for teams and individuals. Both funding initiatives were paused because of the impact of the pandemic on the championships budget at that time.
The committee also noted that current issues such as additional rest days and increases in travel party size, per diem and officiating fees remain as items to consider. The committee agreed that all of these items remain under consideration and will be revisited once results from the Division III membership survey have been compiled before formal recommendations are made to the Strategic Planning and Finance Committee.
Other topics discussed
Rest days during championship finals
The committee began discussing the concept of adding a day of rest during the finals at select championships, as several sport committees have suggested adding rest days to their formats.
Combined championships
The committee's review of gender equity and budget recaps prompted a brief discussion of whether conducting combined championships among genders in like sports would produce some cost efficiencies without compromising the championship experience for members of either gender. The committee agreed to ask sport committees to provide feedback on the idea and whether it would enhance their respective sports.
Future meeting dates
- March 15 (monthly videoconference).
- April 26 (monthly videoconference).
- May 17 (monthly videoconference).
- June 21-22 (quarterly meeting; Indianapolis).
- July 19 (monthly videoconference).
- Aug. 16 (monthly videoconference).
- Sept. 11-13 (quarterly meeting; Indianapolis).