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Division III Committees

Division III Committees

NCAA Division III committees play a vital role in shaping policy, guiding governance and supporting the Division III student-athlete experience.

This page serves as the central hub for Division III committee information, including responsibilities, membership rosters, proceedings and related resources. Committees are composed of Division III volunteers — including presidents and chancellors, athletics directors, coaches, faculty members, conference administrators and student-athletes — who help guide Division III governance.

Division III Governance Committees

The Presidents Council is the highest governing body in Division III. The council implements policies adopted by the Association’s Board of Governors and may sponsor amendments to the NCAA Constitution. It establishes and directs general division policies, oversees the division budget and sets strategic priorities. The council may also sponsor legislation and adopt noncontroversial and intent-based amendments, administrative bylaws and regulations to govern the division between NCAA Conventions. Annually, the council meets in person twice (October and January during the NCAA Convention) and conducts two videoconferences (April and August).

Proceedings

The Management Council reports directly to the Presidents Council and implements policies adopted by the Association’s Board of Governors and Division III Presidents Council. The council may sponsor legislative proposals, make interpretations of Division III bylaws, and help resolve Division III issues and recommendations from committees and working groups throughout the division’s governance structure.

Proceedings

The Administrative Committee serves as the primary body that can act between quarterly meetings of the Management Council and Presidents Council. It conducts business necessary to support the normal and orderly administration of Division III. Committee actions are reported to, and ratified by, the Management Council and/or Presidents Council. The committee has one in-person meeting annually in March, and all other business is conducted via teleconference or electronic mail.

Proceedings

The Championships Committee oversees Division III championships. It reports directly to the Management Council on matters such as budget recommendations, supervises the Division III championship qualification and selection process, reviews recommendations from sports committees regarding championship administration, and considers other issues related to administering championships events. The committee meets in person two times each year in February, June or September and conducts monthly videoconferences. In-person meetings are determined annually based on the agenda.

NCAA Power Index (NPI)

Proceedings

Committee memos, bulletins and other resources

Regional advisory committees

The Division III Committee on Infractions is an independent administrative body charged with deciding major infractions cases involving member institutions and their employees. The committee is made up of volunteers from NCAA member institutions and one member of the general public with legal training. As authorized by NCAA bylaws, the committee addresses prehearing procedural matters, sets and conducts hearings, finds facts, concludes violations of NCAA legislation, prescribes penalties and monitors institutions on probation to ensure compliance with those penalties. Its workload varies based on the number of major infractions cases investigated by enforcement staff and presented to the committee.

The Division III COI is supported by the Office of the Committees on Infractions (OCOI). The OCOI supports all three divisional Committees on Infractions by providing administrative support, logistical coordination, research, analysis, training, drafting, strategic planning and other duties assigned by the chair of the Division III Committee on Infractions. The OCOI consists of Matt Mikrut (Managing Director), Heather McVeigh (Director), Marnae Mawdsley (Director), Brad Rochman (Associate Director), Evelyn Gross (Coordinator) and Cindy McKinney (Executive Assistant to the Vice President of Hearing Operations).

Resources

The Division III Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement (SAR) determines policies and procedures for the reinstatement process of an ineligible student-athlete, hears appeals of SAR staff decisions, and may grant eligibility or determine that eligibility should not be reinstated. The committee also establishes the policies and procedures to process waivers or appeals as approved by the Management Council and may grant such requests. The committee meets in person twice each year in December and May and conducts teleconferences as needed.

Under NCAA Bylaw 14.12, the committee has authority to determine matters related to reinstating the eligibility of a student-athlete who is ineligible because of a violation of NCAA legislation. It also has authority over various waivers, such as extensions of eligibility and seasons-of-competition waivers.

Proceedings

For previous documents, please fill out the Archived Document Request Form.

The Convention-Planning Subcommittee makes recommendations for the upcoming NCAA Convention to the Management and Presidents Councils, including educational sessions, the Issues Forum and other Division III sessions. The subcommittee reviews draft agendas for all sessions and handles additional logistics related to the Convention. Each member is asked to review agendas and/or PowerPoints used for the Issues and Business sessions during December prior to the Convention. The subcommittee conducts five teleconferences each year in March, June, October, November and December.

Proceedings

The Division III DEI Subcommittee assesses the current diversity, equity and inclusion landscape within Division III, evaluates existing initiatives and provides input to the membership on next steps, including resources, new initiatives and policies.

Proceedings

The Financial Aid Committee reviews and considers regulations found in Bylaw 15 (Financial Aid). The committee oversees the financial aid reporting process, tracks student financial aid issues that may affect the division, reviews proposed financial aid legislation and provides educational resources for the membership. The committee meets in person twice each year in February and November and conducts videoconferences as needed.

Proceedings

The Division III Infractions Appeals Committee’s mission is to provide a meaningful, reliable and credible appeal opportunity that produces outcomes with a positive impact on the infractions process and supports the NCAA’s commitment to a fair and fulfilling competitive environment for student-athletes.

The committee includes members who have experience administering Division III athletics programs, along with individuals who have experience with or understanding of administrative hearing processes and procedures.

The Division III Interpretations and Legislation Committee interprets Division III legislation and issues official interpretations and educational resources as needed. The committee also reviews and refines legislative proposals, incorporates interpretations into Division III legislation, reviews legislative issues to ensure the legislation remains relevant to the Division III environment, and determines facts related to the international amateurism fact-finding process. The committee meets in person at least once each year, either in February or September, and conducts videoconferences as needed.

Proceedings

The Membership Committee oversees the provisional and reclassifying membership process, supports educational programming and resources for active members, and reviews waiver requests related to membership requirements. The committee meets in person twice each year in February and June and conducts monthly teleconferences.

Proceedings

The Strategic Planning and Finance Committee monitors and updates the Division III strategic plan consistent with the Division III philosophy statement and the plan’s goals and objectives. The committee also oversees the Division III annual operating budget and reports regularly to the Management Council. It conducts two teleconferences each year in July and November and one in-person meeting in March.

Proceedings

The Division III National Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is a representative body composed of 43 student-athletes from across the country who serve as the national voice for their peers within NCAA Division III. The committee helps shape the student-athlete experience by providing feedback on proposed legislation, engaging with NCAA leadership and participating in governance processes. Through regular meetings and work on subcommittees and association-wide initiatives, Division III SAAC members advocate for positive change, foster education and help build a supportive and inclusive athletics community.

What does SAAC do?

  • Meets throughout the year to discuss proposed legislation, current issues and other topics with NCAA and Division III leaders, the Sport Science Institute, the Board of Governors and others.
    • There are four quarterly meetings: two are virtual (April and November) and two are in person — July in Indianapolis at NCAA headquarters and January in conjunction with the NCAA Convention. Additional virtual meetings are held as needed.
  • Discusses proposed Division III legislation and its potential impact on student-athletes.
  • Serves on both Division III and association-wide committees to provide the student-athlete perspective.
  • Forms subcommittees based on issues relevant to student-athletes to help spread education and create discussion.
  • Builds professional skills and develops relationships with student-athletes from across the country.

Who makes up SAAC?

Current Division III SAAC Roster

  • Dedicated, passionate student-athletes who are willing to learn and participate in discussions, NCAA committees and SAAC subcommittees.
  • Leaders who champion Division III and are motivated to improve the student-athlete experience.
  • Focused student-athletes who understand how to communicate professionally and advocate for the needs of Division III student-athletes.
  • Individuals representing a diverse group of sports, geographic regions and backgrounds.

SAAC Members Making a Difference

Division III student-athletes are not only leaders on their teams — they are also advocates shaping the future of collegiate athletics. Through their involvement in Division III SAAC, these student-athletes elevate the voices of their peers, champion issues from academic balance to mental health, and work to protect and enhance the student-athlete experience through education, service and national advocacy.

SAAC Reaches Out to Congress

In March 2025, the NCAA Division III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), in partnership with Division I and II SAACs, sent a joint letter to members of the U.S. Congress advocating to preserve the student-athlete model in college sports. The committees urged lawmakers to maintain the classification of student-athletes as students — not employees — emphasizing that this distinction allows them to benefit from educational support, scholarships and personal development opportunities. The letter warned that reclassifying student-athletes as employees could significantly alter the collegiate athletics landscape, place financial strain on institutions and limit opportunities for athletes in lower-profile sports. This unified advocacy effort also received formal support from the Faculty Athletics Representatives Association and the 1A FAR Board of Directors.

Whereas, the NCAA Divisions I, II, and III Student-Athlete Advisory Committees presented a letter dated March 3, 2025, urging members of the U.S. Congress to maintain the distinct classification of student-athletes rather than reclassifying them as employees of their respective institutions;

Whereas, collegiate athletics play a vital role in fostering personal, academic and athletic development, teamwork, discipline and leadership among student-athletes;

Whereas, the current status of student-athletes recognizes the fundamental principle of the collegiate student-athlete model, allowing students to participate in sports while pursuing their education;

Whereas, being classified as students rather than employees ensures student-athletes benefit from academic support services, scholarships and other educational opportunities, contributing to their overall academic success;

Whereas, the reclassification of student-athletes as employees could undermine the core principles of the collegiate student-athlete model, leading to significant changes in the landscape of collegiate sports; and

Whereas, considering student-athletes as employees may create financial burdens on institutions and potentially restrict opportunities for student-athletes from lower-profile sports programs;

Be it resolved that both the Faculty Athletics Representatives Association Executive Committee and the Board of Directors of the 1A Faculty Athletics Representatives, representing the Faculty Athletics Representatives at the more than 1,100 NCAA campuses, fully support the NCAA Divisions I, II, and III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee in their statement to members of the U.S. Congress to retain the distinct classification of student-athletes as students rather than reclassifying them as employees of their institutions.

Respectfully,
The Executive Committee of Faculty Athletics Representatives Association
The Board of Directors of the 1A Faculty Athletics Representative

Student-Athlete Advocacy Toolkit

Proceedings

Resources

The Subcommittee for Legislative Relief is composed of representatives from the Division III membership who also serve on the Division III Management Council. The subcommittee reviews member institution and conference requests to waive the normal application of Division III legislation, provides information standards, guidelines and directives for NCAA staff to initially review legislative relief waiver requests, issues blanket legislative relief waivers and serves as an appellate body for staff decisions that the membership chooses to appeal.

The subcommittee has a standing weekly call to hear appeal requests or review other waiver-related issues, and the call is canceled when there are no appeals or issues to review. It also conducts two videoconferences each year — one in the spring and one in the early fall before the quarterly Management Council meeting.

Proceedings

Resources

Division III Working Groups

At its October 2025 meeting, the NCAA Division III Presidents Council approved a focused analysis of key issues to ensure Division III continues to operate efficiently and effectively to meet the evolving needs of student-athletes and member institutions/conferences. This effort builds on recent evaluations conducted internally and by third-parties covering financial strategy, an Enrichment Fund analysis, and a review of the Division III Philosophy. 

The Presidents Council appointed a 19-member Working Group that is representative of the Division III membership. The working group members embody a diversity of perspectives from across the division. An external consulting partner has been contracted to assist the Working Group in its efforts to collect research and data and engage membership stakeholders to complete its work and report outcomes to the Presidents Council by the 2027 NCAA Convention. 

Working Group Charge:

Drawing on the preliminary findings, developed during the January 2026 meetings, the Presidents Council charged the Working Group with the following objectives:

  • Codify Division III’s distinctive core commitments, experiences, and values, particularly those currently under stress. 
  • Analyze internal tensions and external pressures that threaten Division III values. 
  • Identify, develop, and propose actionable solutions within the current structure to reinforce the division’s values. 
  • Recommend governance or structural reforms, as necessary, to strengthen alignment between the current Division III governance structure or decision-making process to address pressing challenges and advance Division III values.
  • Propose any additional structural or legislative recommendations needed to strengthen and sustain the core values, philosophical tenets, rules and legislation, and governance structure and processes of Division III for long-term viability.

Proceedings

Resources

Division III Sport Committees

Each Division III championship sport has a committee made up of coaches and administrators from NCAA member schools who are experts in their sport. The pages below will take you to each sport’s championship committee page.

Committee Collaboration Zone

Committee members can log in here to access collaboration tools and designated NCAA spaces.

Committee Login

Committee Opportunities

Explore current NCAA committee vacancies available for nomination.

Committee Vacancies

Committee Calendar

Review upcoming Division III committee meeting dates and schedules.

Division III Committee Calendar

Explore Committees

Access association-wide and shared committee structures.

Association-Wide Committees

Division II and Division III Common Committees

Committee Resources