Division IV

One one hand, with the size of D3 right now in terms of schools, I can see it as plausible, but at the same time, how do you determine who goes where?

where did you hear about this?

The discussion is being driven more by philosophical issues within the division rather than by numbers. D3 has nearly doubled in size since the ealry 80s. The influx of former NIAI and D2 schools has caused some presidents in D3 to take a look at institutional priorities within the division. One of the major issues centers on schools that offer broad-based athletic programs (e.g., 16 to 20 sports across both genders) vs. schools that offer much smaller offerings (e.g., 6-10). There are many other demographic considerations being discussed and the issue of splitting the division is far from resolved. My guess, however, is that something will happen at some point in the next 10 years to resolve the presidents’ concerns and that we will see some sort of split in the division.

While I agree that the philosophical divide was the impetus for some of the original discussion regarding restructuring of DIII, the issue reemerged due to the NCAC Schools pushing for a cap on DIII membership. The desire for a cap brought the issue of restructure back to the surface for the reason you mention-the influx of DII and NAIA schools in recent years- but without the NCAC’s push for a cap the issue may have died after the last round of restructuring talk during the late 90s. I agree that there will be a change in the next decade- the NCAA has framed the discussion as a “how to restructure”, not “whether to restructure” DIII.

I’d agree that the NCAC’s request for a moratorium stimulated the discussion to some extent but the request came as a result of the influx and the ongoing/behind closed door discussions that were already taking place. The talk may or may not have without the NCAC’s move. Most of the impetus behind the talk has nothing to do with swimming/diving … it stems more from football and basketball interests.

I fully agree it definitely has more to do with the automatic bid sports…IE everything except Track and Swimming/Diving.

so the ncaa would have to pay another 200 or so swimmers for tickets and hotel costs for another ncaa meet.. not to mention the gifts and other costs it takes to run a meet.. i find that hard to believe..

so the ncaa would have to pay another 200 or so swimmers for tickets and hotel costs for another ncaa meet.. not to mention the gifts and other costs it takes to run a meet.. i find that hard to believe..

As I understand it talking with some ad’s -Division IV would be regional – no national championship. Nescac schools used to not go to national championships at all so you have a lot of super elite schools that want to get back control of athletics. Some coaches say now that Division IV would hurt them in recruiting.

Other idea is to move state schools – SUNY’s, TCNJ, UW’s out because they have advantages in recruiting, promote redshirting, and stuff like that.

I had heard from my coach during nationals that they were thinking of making the split between private & public universities. I’m not for sure, but I remember my coaches talking about it during the meet after the mass coaches meeting. It seems like a reason like that would be exhausted & thrown out but my coach was not happy about some of the private school coaches thinking it was a great idea to split the meet up that way.