At its meeting via videoconference June 24, the Division III Strategic Planning and Finance Committee approved several 2023 fiscal year budget recommendations. They await final approval by the Division III Management and Presidents Councils during their summer meetings.
The committee approved recommendations made during last week's Championships Committee meeting, including per diem increases in all sports, reimbursement for local ground transportation, a day of rest for select sports, and the expansion of some brackets and travel parties.
The Strategic Planning and Finance Committee also agreed to updates to the Enrichment Fund, previously known as nonchampionships initiatives, including additional funding for the Conference Grant Program to support the division's strategic initiative of diversity, equity and inclusion. The committee tasked the NCAA grant administrator to collaborate with the Division III Commissioners Association to finalize the grant parameters.
Salary increases to the Division III Ethnic Minorities and Women's Internship from $23,660 to $30,000 were approved beginning Sept. 1, 2023. This increase matches Division II's raise and allows the internship to be more competitive in today's employment market.
Funding for Division III University, an online learning management system for Division III commissioners, athletics directors, senior woman administrators, faculty athletics administrators and head coaches, was approved for fiscal years 2022 and 2023. The Division III Interpretations and Legislation Committee will identify education needs from the membership and create modules accordingly.
To reduce excess funds above the mandated reserve, the Strategic Planning and Finance Committee approved Division III to overspend its operating budget in fiscal years 2023 and 2024. With the start of the 2025 fiscal year, Division III will see an overall 11% revenue increase due to the CBS/Turner Sports broadcast agreement.
"Our main focus as a committee is meeting the needs of our student-athletes, conferences and membership while exhibiting fiscal responsibility," said Jim Schmidt, chair of the Strategic Planning and Finance Committee and chancellor at Wisconsin-Eau Claire. "I'm grateful for the discussion and continued dedication of the committee to carefully shepherd Division III for the present and future."
At the recommendation of the Presidents Council, the committee agreed to a comprehensive review of Division III's Philosophy Statement during this transformational period.
