Division III delegates adopted a proposal that addresses concerns regarding head impact exposure in football by reducing contact overall in both the preseason and traditional season while increasing opportunities to teach appropriate blocking and tackling techniques during the spring.Â
The delegates met Saturday during the Division III business session, part of the 2022 NCAA Convention.
The football decision changes the preseason practice period in the following three ways:
- Increases the acclimatization period from five to six days.
- Establishes a maximum of eight practices in full pads.
- Establishes contact limitations of no more than 75 minutes of contact per day and no more than two consecutive days of full contact.
The newly adopted legislation limits football teams to two full-padded practices per week during the regular season. If a school has a bye week, it is permitted up to three practices in full pads that week.
This legislation allows student-athletes to wear helmets during all 16 days of the spring period. On four of the 16 days, student-athletes would be permitted to also wear shoulder pads and engage in drills focused on teaching appropriate tackling and blocking. For the 12 days of helmets only, there is no change in what constitutes a permissible activity. Adopted (295-68-87); effective immediately.
International student-athlete amateurism certification
Division III will use the NCAA Eligibility Center to certify the amateur status of international student-athletes to provide more consistency and efficiency in the amateurism certification process. Adopted (430-23); effective for international prospective student-athletes enrolling in a Division III school on or after Aug. 1, 2023.
Presidents Council authority to adopt emergency legislation
This permits the Division III Presidents Council to sponsor and adopt emergency legislation under defined circumstances to help ensure the division can address critical events and circumstances in a timely manner. Adopted (452-1-1); effective immediately.
Applying Division I legislation
This permits Division III member schools that sponsor one or more sports classified in Division I to apply Division I legislation to those sports in all areas, including financial aid. Adopted (388-18-39); effective immediately.
Championships automatic qualification
The minimum number of multisport conference members required for automatic qualification for Division III championships is reduced from seven to six. Adopted (281-167-2); effective Aug. 1.
Single-sport conference minimum requirement
The minimum number of member schools required to form a single-sport conference is reduced from seven to six. A single-sport conference is an NCAA Division III member conference that sponsors only one sport. Adopted (327-123-3); effective Aug. 1.
Sickle cell solubility test
This eliminates the option for a student-athlete to sign a waiver declining the sickle cell solubility test. Student-athletes in their initial season of eligibility and currently enrolled students no longer have the option to sign a waiver declining confirmation of sickle cell trait status. Adopted (253-185-11); effective Aug. 1.
Expanded ability to practice without using a season of competition
The proposal to allow student-athletes to participate in a full season of practice without using a season of competition if the athlete does not compete in any games was referred to the Division III Interpretations and Legislative Committee for additional review and analysis. The Presidents Council voiced support for referral at its meeting earlier in the week. Referred to committee (233-216-4).
Equestrian as an emerging sport
Division III defeated the proposal to add equestrian as an emerging sport for women. Equestrian has been designated an emerging sport for women in Divisions I and II since 2002 but has remained independent of the NCAA in Division III. A proposal to add equestrian as an emerging sport in DIII was also defeated in 2020. Defeated (154-195-101).
During the open forum, several delegates raised concern with the Board of Governors' decision to change the NCAA transgender policy and in particular the immediate effective date for 2022 NCAA winter championships.
