Based on feedback from the membership, the Presidents Council also approved a revised method for calculating the preseason start date. After announcing the initial model and receiving feedback on it after the April Management Council meeting, the Management Council leadership recommended a different method that allows 25 practice opportunities.

The revised method, subsequently approved by the Presidents Council, takes into account an institution's academic calendar as well as its first contest, while also accommodating the mandated five-day acclimatization period, mandated alternating double-single practice sessions and also single sessions in the week of the first contest. (See the accompanying chart to see how the first-contest date and first day of class fit with the first day of practice for several common start dates under the recently approved counting method vs. 2002 legislation.)

Except for the counting method, the model approved by the Presidents Council is essentially the same as that approved by the Management Council. The model, which is similar to one approved by Divisions I and II, provides specific guidelines for student-athlete health and safety in keeping with recommendations by the NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports.

The guidelines include the gradual addition of equipment and no more than one on-field practice per day during a five-day acclimatization period. Institutions also may not conduct two-a-day sessions on consecutive days. On the days multiple practice sessions are permitted, student-athletes must be provided with at least three continuous hours of recovery time between the end of the first practice and the start of the next practice.

"This model provides the most consistent number of practice opportunities before the first contest, regardless of the institution's academic calendar, while protecting the health and safety requirements of the acclimatization and recovery periods," said John McCardell Jr., chair of the Division III Presidents Council and president of Middlebury College.

"Management Council Chair Susan Bassett and Vice-Chair Suzanne Coffey, and their Council colleagues, are to be commended for their timely response to membership concerns and for providing the Presidents Council with an appropriate alternate recommendation, which preserves the essence of the Management Council's original recommendation," McCardell said.

Both the Management Council and the Presidents Council supported the football preseason model based on compelling medical data that the Councils believe show the need for immediate changes to ensure student-athlete welfare. The Presidents Council noted that the Management Council's playing and practice seasons subcommittee had reviewed much of the data, ultimately concluding that immediate changes were warranted. The Division III Football Committee had previously reached a similar conclusion.

For a full listing of the components of the Division III preseason football model, see the April 28, 2003, issue of The NCAA News.

Future of Division III

The Council, which spent the majority of its time on the future of the division, reviewed the results of a recent membership survey on the future of Division III and also discussed next steps in light of the survey results and recent focus groups on the topic.

The Council noted that the survey had a strong response rate -- 79 percent, with 335 of the division's 425 active and provisional member institutions -- which was particularly impressive since the survey required a CEO signature.

The Council noted the importance of continued presidential involvement in the futures discussion and agreed to provide an executive summary and memo with the survey results to CEOs as soon as possible. The Council also noted that there was strong support on the survey for the underlying philosophical issues of Division III, though disagreement remains on the implementation of the philosophy.

(To view the entire results of the Division III survey, see www.ncaa.org, specifically http://
www1.ncaa.org/membership/governance/division_III/d3_future and click on "survey results.")

The Council instructed the oversight group of the Joint Subcommittee on the Future of Division III to work with the appropriate subgroups to delve more deeply into specific issues highlighted in the survey and recommend possible legislative proposals at the July meeting in preparation for the 2004 NCAA Convention. The Council also noted that it expects the membership to address some of these issues and bring legislation forward for the 2004 NCAA Convention.

The Council noted that the recent focus group meetings -- three in person and one via the telephone -- also had produced additional information on many of these issues, though analysis of the focus group results is still being conducted. The Council reviewed the focus group selection process and participant list, noting that there were 132 individuals nominated, 48 of whom were chosen, with one representative from each Division III conference and also individuals representing independent institutions.

The Council further recommended continued discussion about the broader strategies for governing the division in light of its growing size and diversity and also reaffirmed its commitment that all views division be understood. "The Presidents Council is committed to ensuring that all voices in the vision are heard and valued," McCardell said. "The Division III 'tent' is large enough to hold us all. We will explore ways through dialogue, planning and legislation to establish greater flexibility while maintaining the Division III principles, confirmed through the survey results, that are important to each member."

Other highlights

Division III Presidents Council
April 24/Indianapolis

Approved the 2004 NCAA Convention schedule, noting the new schedule would encourage CEO participation and provide an increased opportunity for membership dialogue and conference meetings before voting.

Endorsed the Management Council's action to adopt noncontroversial legislation to formalize the procedure and penalty structure for violation of the NCAA's wrestling weight-management program and also recommend to the wrestling committee that it consider enhancing the financial penalty for violations.

Ratified the establishment of an appeals process to permit all Division III medical hardship waiver cases to be heard by the NCAA student-athlete reinstatement staff, and to permit a subsequent appeal, if necessary, to the Division III Student-Athlete Reinstatement Committee.

Endorsed the Division III response to the NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee's report on the use of American Indian mascots in intercollegiate athletics and forwarded it to the NCAA Executive Committee.

Reviewed key discussion points and emerging themes from the Association-wide strategic-planning session for Division III from the March 28 session in Chicago.

Endorsed and forwarded to the Executive Committee various division-specific and Association-wide recommendations in response to the NCAA Ad Hoc Review Report.