NATIONAL HARBOR, Maryland – About 50 institutional vice presidents and other senior administrators who oversee athletics on campuses – likely the largest number yet in Division III -- are attending this year’s Convention.

Their presence, in light of last year’s Division III membership survey that revealed about 80 percent of athletics directors report directly to a senior administrator other than a president, is sparking some conversation about whether that group is appropriately involved in the division’s governance.

That presence at the Convention will be acknowledged Friday with a luncheon for those “direct reports,” who will use part of the time to exchange best practices and share experiences from oversight of athletics. This will be the third consecutive year for such a luncheon.

But the degree to which athletics directors are reporting to senior administrators other than presidents also is opening eyes among groups like the Division III Presidents and Management Council, which this week have discussed whether to actively solicit more involvement of direct reports in the governance structure.

This may be an especially appropriate time for such a discussion, as presidents may be reevaluating their role in the direction of the division as a result of the current “white papers” initiative. Just as many presidents are relying on vice presidents or other senior administrators in day-to-day oversight of athletics (judging from the survey results), they also may see them having an important administrative role in the division’s governance.