Where to start? This was my first NCAA Convention representing Division III student-athletes. There is a marked difference in philosophy and composition of institutions in Division III in comparison to the other two divisions. It was fascinating to observe and listen.

I spent the last 12 years voting for Division II legislation which focused heavily on access to championships, a regional competition model and a partial scholarship model that keeps athletics budgets in proportion with the overall institutional budget. In Division III, there’s great conversation on providing broad opportunities and the proportion required for a well-balanced total student experience.

The Association adopted legislation overhauling the Constitution, but not without a passionate plea from delegates of Division III institutions who believed there was a better way forward. Many were concerned about the amount of revenue awarded to Division II and Division III institutions from the media rights contract of the Division I men’s basketball tournament. Specifically, Division III has the largest number of institutions and student-athletes but receives the lowest percentage of guaranteed revenue to operate its championships. All told, the final vote had 801 of over 1,100 institutions vote for the new constitution and greater flexibility for each division to govern itself.

• 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. • Look for the next few months to roll out lots of new changes – but only if the divisions are willing to be visionary in support of a new student-athlete experience.

Championship Automatic Qualifications: This will be a topic to follow in the short and long term. The minimum number of multisport conference members required for automatic qualification for Division III championships is reduced from seven to six. Why is this important? It introduces the opportunity for conference realignment within regular and single-sport conferences to gain additional berths into the championships by splitting larger conferences. It also helps smaller conferences or single-sport conferences in sports such as golf grow sponsorship of the sport.

February is a big month as we close out the winter sports regular season and begin spring sports. We have served as host to the Mid-Atlantic Squash Conference Championships and will host the Centennial Conference Swimming Championships. Also, we hosted two huge indoor track meets in January that have prepared our Diplomats for the indoor championships at the end of February. It’s been fun to watch the team set new records and hear from alums along the way who care so deeply about the program.

The Diplomats will surge into the postseason to begin March, and the torch will be passed from the winter sports to the spring sports after a phenomenal fall season.

F&M finished the fall sports season in 55th place in the Learfield Directors’ Cup. It was the third highest finish among Centennial Conference members, behind Johns Hopkins (1st) and Haverford (37th).

• • The Learfield Directors’ Cup is given at the end of each academic year to the institution with the most successful broad-based athletics department. An institution earns points based on the number of teams it qualifies for NCAA championships and how far those teams advance through the championship.