REPORT OF THE
NCAA DIVISION III
STUDENT-ATHLETE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
1. ACTION ITEMS.
a. Division
III Membership Community Outreach – Habitat International.
(1) Recommendation. Establish a division-wide community service project on each Division III campus and conference in support of Habitat for Humanity.
(2) Rationale.
Now that
a partnership exists between the NCAA and Habitat International, the Division
III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) agreed to support the partnership
with Habitat for Humanity as a Division III membership-wide initiative. The committee requests that all institutional
and conference student-athlete advisory committees consider a partnership with
Habitat for Humanity for their community service project during the 2006-2007
academic year. The committee challenges
Division III institutions and conferences to build one house per campus or to
organize a conference-wide effort. Institutions
and conferences can coordinate this effort through support of the conference
strategic initiatives funds.
b. Division III Sportsmanship Statement.
(1) Recommendation. Establish a Division III sportsmanship statement and endorse its use at each institution’s contests and all NCAA Division III championships events:
“As Division III student-athletes we
commit ourselves to sportsmanship by demonstrating respect toward ourselves and
others. This includes demonstrating fair play, taking responsibility for our actions and representing the spirit of Division III intercollegiate athletics. We encourage our
teammates, opponents, fans, coaches and referees to help us in promoting this philosophy.”
(2) Rationale. The committee is committed to promoting the NCAA’s principle of sportsmanship and ethical conduct. The establishment of a Division III sportsmanship statement, increases awareness and promotes positive actions among Division III coaches, student-athletes and fans.
c. Committee
Composition – NCAA Bylaw 21.9.6.10.1.
(1) Recommendation. Waive the committee composition requirement that prohibits more than one student-athlete from a playing conference to
serve on the
committee. This waiver would apply to the new Northern Athletic Conference for
a limited time period, ending
(2) Rationale.
The Northern Athletic Conference
was approved as a member conference in January 2006 and comprises institutions
from the
2. INFORMATIONAL
ITEMS.
a. Division III Drug-Testing Pilot. The committee discussed the potential two-year pilot to establish year-round drug testing in Division III. The committee gathered feedback from student-athletes with most comments being positive toward the drug-testing pilot. Overall, student-athletes thought drug testing would promote student-athlete well-being and help deter student-athletes from taking banned substances. Student-athletes also noted a need for education in conjunction with the drug-testing program. There was some concern if penalties would be imposed on institutions participating in the pilot program. Student-athletes also noted a concern over treating student-athletes different than the student body, since drug testing would not be required for students participating in other extracurricular activities.
b. Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee/Independents. As a result of the conference survey, the project team developed a timeline to assist committee members in communication with their assigned conference and partner conference. The timeline will be incorporated into the SAAC policies and procedures document and SAAC manual.
c. SAAC Nominating
Process. Sharon
Tufano, committee coordinator, discussed her role in soliciting nominations and
the Division III Nominating Committee’s expectations for the SAAC nominating
process. The committee reviewed the
nominating process, the legislative requirements and future nominations that must
be considered. The committee discussed the NCAA’s commitment to ethnic
diversity and Division III conference realignment or disbandment. The committee
also noted independent representatives should be responsible for communicating
with a similar number of institutions as committee members representing two
conferences.
d. Nomination of New
Committee Member. The committee
nominated the Little East Conference nominee, Tauquir Puthawala from
e. Project Team Review. The committee reviewed the purpose of the project teams and evaluated their structures. Each committee member submitted their top three interests. Staff liaisons will assign responsibilities and notify committee members.
f. Conference SAAC Spotlight. The committee highlighted the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and the North Atlantic Conference for their progressive SAAC initiatives.
g. Joint SAAC Meeting. The Divisions
I, II and III SAACs participated in a community outreach activity with Habitat
for Humanity, Thursday, January 6. They also participated in a professional
development session on dining etiquette. During the meeting, Mary Wilfert, associate
director of education services, presented on the Female Athlete Triad and Angie
Cretors, assistant director of agents, gambling and amateurism, presented
information on the upcoming sports wagering Web cast. An Association-wide report was given from
the NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sport.