DII Executive Board advances proposal for 5 seasons of eligibility to Convention

The Division II Executive Board sponsored two proposals for the 2026 NCAA Convention, including one that would permit student-athletes to participate in up to five seasons of competition during their first 10 semesters or 15 quarters of full-time enrollment.

The board also sponsored a Convention proposal that would establish a Division II Women's Bowling Championship, with a projected first championship in April 2028.

"Division II is taking meaningful steps to reshape legislation and policy in ways that better align with today's student-athlete experience," said Colleen Perry Keith, president at Goldey-Beacom and chair of the Division II Executive Board. "These proposals are about reducing unnecessary barriers, creating more equitable access to championships and supporting student-athletes as they pursue degrees on more individualized timelines."

Six governance-sponsored proposals and 11 membership-sponsored will be voted on at the 2026 Convention, which are detailed here.

Eligibility proposal

Currently, Division II student-athletes have four seasons to participate in competition in any one sport and must complete their four seasons during their first 10 semesters or 15 quarters of full-time enrollment.

If the proposal is adopted, in addition to permitting up to five seasons of competition during a student-athlete's first 10 semesters or 15 quarters of full-time enrollment, it would:  

1. Specify that any competition, regardless of timing, counts as a season of competition unless a student-athlete is transferring from a non-Division II school and does not use a season according to the non-Division II school, or is a Division III transfer who is charged a season of participation for practice only under Division III legislation.
2. Eliminate the currently legislated exceptions and waivers associated with the seasons-of-competition legislation, including current exceptions, such as participation during the nonchampionship segment and in an alumni game. 
3. Amend the current exceptions and waivers  for the period of eligibility (10 semesters/15 quarters) to permit waivers in extenuating circumstances and the following exceptions: service (armed services, religious missions or foreign aid services of the U.S. government); academic study abroad; internship or cooperative educational work experience program; pregnancy; injury/illness; and Olympic training.

The Division II Eligibility Review Working Group, formed in early 2025 to perform a comprehensive review of eligibility rules, recommended this proposal after reviewing graduation data and membership feedback on the topic. 

Data from the Division II Academic Performance Census showed a shift over the years that more student-athletes are taking longer to graduate. Of those who earned a degree in 2022-23, 63% did so in four years or less, while 30% needed between four and five years and 7% took longer. This trend informed the Eligibility Review Working Group's recommendation, which would also reduce the need for exceptions and waivers.

Championship items

The Executive Board approved a high-cost city per diem rate of $205 for Division II competition conducted at sites in cities that the NCAA travel staff has identified as high-cost cities.

The board also approved a proposal to expand the Division II Men's Lacrosse Championship bracket from 16 to 18 teams and to establish it as an access ratio sport for championship selection purposes.  

The board approved a recommendation to sunset the Division II National Championships Festivals after the fall 2026 festival. The recommendation emerged from the Division II membership survey, which indicated declining support for the event. The Division II Championships Committee will seek feedback from the Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee to make recommendations to reallocate the festival budget to enhance the student-athlete experience at all Division II championships.

Additionally, the board approved a policy to guide the creation of a division-specific championship following a National Collegiate Championship. The policy states that following adoption of a Division II-specific championship from a National Collegiate Championship, its effective date shall be after a minimum of two National Collegiate Championships have taken place in the sport and with at least two years' notice provided to the National Collegiate Championship committee and sponsoring members in the sport. The two-year waiting period is intended to help maintain stability for National Collegiate Championships; offer time to properly budget for the divisional championship; and allow members time to schedule their regular-season contests and postseason tournaments accordingly. 

DII priorities for 2025-26

The board also voted to approve the division's priorities for the 2025-26 academic year, which were approved by the Management Council last month.

The priorities include the following focus areas: 

• Division II's six-year operating plan, which is in the final stages of being developed and will be launched at the 2026 Convention. The new plan outlines five broad focus areas: academics, athletics, health and wellness, governance, and operations and positioning. 
• The triennial championship budget process for the 2027-30 budget cycle.
• Potential new championships, selection criteria and future joint championships. 
• The Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee's goals, which include prioritizing community engagement and strengthening communication across conferences and schools.
• Partnership and development opportunities for the Division II membership. 
• The Make It Yours brand marketing campaign, which will launch this fall. 
• Results of the 2024-25 Growth, Opportunities, Aspirations and Learning of Students in College Study, known as GOALS. 
• The NCAA Division II Connection Program for coaches, athletic trainers and faculty athletics representatives.