REPORT OF THE
NCAA DIVISION III PLAYING
AND PRACTICE SEASONS SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE DIVISION III MANAGEMENT COUNCIL
1. ACTION
ITEMS.
a. Playing and Practice Seasons Model
- Option No. 1.
(1) Recommendation.
Send communication to all Division III sports committees and applicable coaches
associations for feedback on Model Option No. 1 (see attachment).
(2) Rationale. The subcommittee supports Model Option
No. 1 to better standardize current playing season legislation (see
Informational Item). The subcommittee
noted that Option 1 creates a greater consistency for each sports season,
particularly spring sports, while maintaining the opportunity for
nontraditional segment participation.
The subcommittee agreed that the most efficient approach to receive
beneficial feedback on this option is by communicating with both the sports
committees and coaches associations.
A chart indicating the impact of Option No. 1 on a sport-by-sport basis
will be provided along with the model details to further illustrate Option No.
1. The subcommittee noted that the
specific details of this option (e.g., definition and possible parameters of
practice opportunities, nine-week length determined from the date of the NCAA
championship field) will also be provided to the sports committees and coaches
associations.
(3) Budget
Impact. None.
b. Contest
Limitations – Women’s Ice Hockey.
(1) Recommendation.
Sponsor legislation to reduce the maximum number of contests in the sport of
women’s ice hockey to 25.
(2) Rationale. The subcommittee noted that women’s ice
hockey is currently permitted 34 contests, nine more than the current men’s
maximum limitation. The current
limit is the same number as permitted in Divisions I and II and is based on the
fact that women’s ice hockey is a national collegiate championship sport for
Divisions I and II. Up until this
year, Division III has participated in that championship. This year, Division III sponsored its
own championship. Thus, the
contest limitation should mirror the men’s limitation. If this legislation is supported, the
subcommittee intends to notify the women’s ice hockey committee of the possible
change.
c. Length
of Playing Season – Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field.
(1) Recommendation.
Sponsor legislation to specify that an institution that sponsors indoor track
and field but not outdoor track and field (or vice versa) is limited to a playing
and practice season of 21 weeks.
(2) Rationale. The sports of indoor and outdoor track
and field are currently permitted a playing season of 26 weeks
combined. There is no current limitation for an institution that
sponsors one but not the other sport.
This legislation would simply limit an institution that sponsors only
one of the two sports to a 21-week playing and practice season. An institution that sponsored both
sports would still be permitted to participate in 26-week playing and practice
season.
2. INFORMATIONAL
ITEM.
Playing and Practice Seasons Models – Option Nos. 2 and 3. The subcommittee agreed to remove Option No.2 from consideration inasmuch as the model does not accomplish the desired goals of clarifying and standardizing NCAA Bylaw 17. The subcommittee also tabled Option No. 3 (requested by the Management Council) but agreed to review it in the context of the future of Division III discussion. The subcommittee noted that Option No. 3 represents a dramatic change to Bylaw 17 with the elimination of all competition in the nontraditional segment. The subcommittee also noted the possible development of an “Option No. 4” (elimination of nontraditional segment) as part of the joint subcommittee discussion.
Staff
Liaisons: Chris Martin, Dan
Dutcher, Bridget Belgiovine
The
National Collegiate Athletic Association
April
8, 2002
CTM:skt