The NCAA News - News and Features

The NCAA News -- October 26, 1998

Division II

Presidents to revisit revenue-distribution issue

The discussion over how to distribute the Division II enhancement fund may come to a conclusion when the Division II Presidents Council meets October 27 in Atlanta.

The presidents previously have indicated a desire to revise the distribution-formula issue at this meeting. However, because the change would not take effect until the 2000-2001 academic year, there is no pressure to act immediately beyond the presidents' desire to resolve the long-standing issue.

The Division II Management Council also discussed the matter at its October 19-20 meeting.

Currently, half of the division's $3 million enhancement fund is divided equally among the Division II membership. The other half is distributed based on conference performance in the Division II Men's Basketball Championship.

Various groups within Division II are seeking to identify ways to distribute the fund in a more equitable way. A model that rewards conferences that conduct a large number of championships appears to be favored, but concern has been expressed that conferences with limited championships programs should not be disadvantaged financially over the short term as a result of any change.

In addition to hearing a report from the Management Council's October meeting, the Division II Presidents Council also will hear reports from the Strategic Planning and Convention Planning Project Teams.

Also, the presidents will receive a report on Division II identity and marketing efforts.

Three Division II Presidents Council members will be considered for re-election at this meeting. They are Arend D. Lubbers (chair), Grand Valley State University; Patricia D. Cormier, Longwood College; and Bernard W. Franklin, St. Augustine's College.