REPORT OF THE

DIVISION III STUDENT-ATHLETE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

 

 

1. ACTION ITEMS.

 

a. Division III Initiative Grants – Student-Athlete Welfare.

 

(1)         Recommendation. Homophobia initiatives be given priority funding for the Division III Initiative Grants for 2002-03.

 

(2) Rationale. The committee believes that homophobia is a major topic that needs to be addressed and this would assist institutions in their efforts.

 

(3) Budget Impact. None.

 

 

b.            2002 NCAA Convention Topics.

 

(1)         Recommendation.

 

(a) That the Division III forum topics include a presentation and roundtable discussion session on CHAMPS/Life Skills Program and a discussion from the authors of the “Game of Life.”

 

(b) The committee also endorsed homophobia as an Association-wide discussion topic.

 

(2) Rationale. The committee believes that the listed topics have a significant impact on student-athlete welfare and impact all Division III campus constituents.

 

(3) Budget Impact. None.

 

 

2. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS.

 

a. Communication Initiatives.

 

The primary goal for the upcoming year is to increase communication with campus and conference student-athlete advisory committees. To achieve this goal, the committee will establish and maintain the following initiatives:

?        Conference partnership.

?        National student-athlete advisory committee listserver.

?        National student-athlete advisory committee project teams.

?        Welcome letter to each Division III student-athlete advisory committee.

?        Expand national student-athlete advisory committee Web site.

?        Student-athlete advisory committee policies and procedures resource packet.

?        Division III regional leadership conference.

 

b. American Indian Mascots.

 

The committee agreed to further discuss the issue of mascots at its November meeting and requested additional information from MOIC. The committee noted its continued support for the Association’s efforts to ensure a safe environment for all student-athletes.

 

c. Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct Committee.

 

The committee supported the Sportsmanship and Ethical Conducts Committee’s recommendation and efforts to broaden the guidelines for the Citizenship Award. The Division III SAAC supports increased opportunity to recognize student-athletes.

 

d. General Committees – Management Council Representation.

 

The committee supported Proposal No.16 to specify that Management Council members serving on Division III general committees shall serve as ex officio, nonvoting members and shall be excluded from the total composition requirements for the respective committee.

 

e. Regional Leadership Conferences.

 

The committee supported the concept that the regional leadership conferences should focus on Division III topics and issues. The committee discussed and made recommendations to the education outreach staff for issues to be considered for inclusion in the regional leadership conferences. Selected topics should include trust gap, dangerous drinking, sportsmanship, NCAA rules education, tolerance, diversity, the Division III philosophy, governance structure and leadership skills development.

 

f. 2002 Convention Legislation.

 

(1) Legislation sponsored by the Division III membership.

(a) The committee supported the following proposals:

(i) Proposal No. 1-6 Resolution-Review of Championships.

 

(ii) Proposal No. 1-7 Definition of a Student-Athlete.

(iii) Proposal No. 1-8 Playing and Practice Seasons – Definitions.


(iv) Proposal No. 1-10 Playing and Practice Seasons – First Permissible

Contest and Practice Date - Football.

 

(v) Proposal No. 1-12 Playing and Practice Seasons – Football –

Nontraditional Segment.

 

(vi) Proposal No. 1-13 Playing and Practice Seasons – Nontraditional

Segment - Lacrosse.

(vii) Proposal No. 1-15 Championships – Minimum Number of Institutions – Exception – Men’s Volleyball.

 

(viii) Proposal No. 1-16 Championships – Men’s Volleyball.

 

(b) The committee opposed the following proposals:

 

(i) Proposal No. 1-9 Playing and Practice Seasons – Basketball-

Preseason Practice Activities.

 

(ii) Proposal No. 1-11 Three Day Non-Contact, Conditioning Practice

Period - Football.

 

(iii) Proposal No. 1-17 Executive Regulations – Selection of Teams and

Individuals for Championships. The committee endorses the idea for bracket expansion, although the committee needs more information on the specifics of percentages.

 

(c) Proposal No.1-14 Contest Exceptions – Volleyball – Molten Championships. The committee supported the proposal if Proposal No. 1-15 is not adopted. If Proposal No. 1-15 is adopted, the committee would oppose Proposal No. 1-14.

 

(2) Legislation Sponsored by the NCAA Division III President’s Council

 

Proposal No. 3-6 & 8 Amateurism. The committee supported the amateurism package.

 

 

 

 

Committee Chair: Megan Stevens, State University of New York at Cortland

Staff Liaisons: Susan Peal, Membership Services Representative

Tim Clark, Education Outreach Program Coordinator