The Division II Management Council and Executive Board this week at the NCAA Convention in Nashville, Tennessee, approved an allocation of $2.8 million in surplus funds from the 2023-24 fiscal year.
This included $2.2 million in a supplemental distribution to Division II schools. Eligible schools will receive roughly $8,000 as part of the distribution.
Most of the remaining surplus funds were allocated to various championship items, including joint championship events.
"We are proud to announce the allocation of surplus funds to support our Division II schools and championship events," said Colleen Perry Keith, president at Goldey-Beacom and chair of the Division II Executive Board. "The $2.2 million supplemental distribution will provide much-needed financial support to our member institutions, allowing them to continue their mission of providing a balanced and enriching collegiate experience. Additionally, the investment in championship items, including joint championship events, reflects our dedication to celebrating the achievements of our student-athletes."
Women's lacrosse championship date formula
The Management Council and Executive Board each approved a date formula change for the Division II Women's Lacrosse Championship, beginning in 2025. The change expands the championship date formula to span three weekends. The championship bracket will also increase to 24 teams in 2025. The previous championship date formula spanned 11 days from the start of the first round to the championship. The new date formula for the championship is as follows:
- Selection announcement: Sunday before the first and second rounds.
- First and second rounds (eight sites): Thursday and Saturday before the quarterfinals.
- Quarterfinals: Saturday before the semifinals and finals.
- Semifinals and final: Thursday-Saturday of Memorial Day weekend.
Infractions changes
The Management Council approved in concept a noncontroversial proposal that will establish an exception for limited sports betting violations, aiming to focus resources of the infractions process primarily on those actions that impact the integrity of college sports. The council also approved in concept noncontroversial legislation to incorporate the long-standing application of case classification for schools and individuals. The council will review the legislative recommendations during its February post-Convention meeting. If adopted, the changes will be effective immediately.
The Management Council adopted noncontroversial legislation aimed at increasing accountability for individuals involved in major infractions cases. The legislation, effective immediately, will create a public database of all individuals with an infractions history; specifically name individuals in infractions decisions; broaden show-cause restrictions to include institutional penalties that attach to the involved individual; broaden suspensions; and automatically hold head coaches accountable for the actions of their direct and indirect reports.
Association-wide committee restructuring
The Management Council adopted noncontroversial legislation recommended by the NCAA Board of Governors to all three divisions that will restructure the existing four diversity, equity and inclusion committees into one all-encompassing committee. The new committee will focus on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging efforts. The more comprehensive committee would replace the currently separate Committee on Women's Athletics, Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee, Board of Governors Committee to Promote Cultural Diversity and Equity, and Gender Equity Task Force. The four committees have supported the proposal to combine efforts. This proposal will be effective Sept. 1.
The new committee will be tasked with cultivating equitable and inclusive experiences for student-athletes at NCAA championships and throughout college sports and advising on DEIB-related policies, rules or other NCAA matters. Additionally, the committee will focus on supporting participation opportunities for student-athletes from marginalized communities and cultivating diverse leadership in college sports that reflects the increasingly diverse population of student-athletes.
Elections
Jennifer Flowers, director of athletics at Southwest Minnesota State, was selected to join the Management Council, effective immediately. Flowers will serve as an at-large representative.
Division II membership survey
As part of Division II's strategic planning process, the division will launch a comprehensive membership survey Tuesday. It will be open until Feb. 19. The survey will be emailed to staff members and head coaches at all Division II schools and to conference office staff to help direct the future of the division. As the division embarks on developing its next six-year strategic plan, which will launch in January 2026, this membership survey will help determine key priorities, goals and objectives regarding championships, budget allocations, the Division II philosophy, student-athlete experiences, athletics operations and more. Several versions of the survey have been tailored to address different positions on campus (e.g., athletics director, president/chancellor, faculty athletics representative, senior woman administrator, athletic trainer, athletics communications staff), and recipients will receive specific instructions on completing the survey.
Other action
- The Management Council adopted noncontroversial legislation to eliminate the academic-year-in-residence requirement as part of the organized-competition legislation. This change is effective Aug. 1 for individuals who enroll full time at a Division II school on or after that date
- The council adopted noncontroversial legislation, effective Aug. 1, to eliminate the men's ice hockey penalty associated with an individual's participation on a Major Junior ice hockey team.
