The NCAA Division III Men's and Women's Soccer Committees addressed issues created by the fact that both the men and women's championships will be held on concurrent weekends for the first time in 2002.

Some of those issues pertain to host institutions, and the committees expressed their preference that an institution not host a men's and women's game in the same round of the respective championship. The groups, which met February 4-7, based their decision on concerns that both genders be treated equitably and fairly.

In cases where institutions are faced with choosing to host one championship event over the other, the committees established a schedule for the host to follow. In even-numbered years starting in 2002, the women's team would host the first round and quarterfinals, while the men's team would host the regionals and finals. During odd-numbered years starting in 2003, the men would host the first round and quarterfinals, and the women would host the regionals and finals.

The committees also formed a joint subcommittee to research the artificial turf surfaces available and determine which surfaces are acceptable for the championship. Currently, the committees prefer natural grass rather than artificial surfaces.

In a separate men's committee action, the group discussed championship pairing procedures for future tournaments. In order to establish what the committee calls a "truer" bracket for the championship, the committee announced at the National Soccer Coaches Association of America convention in January that the competition "clusters" of five or six teams will be re-seeded before the start of competition. Those clusters will continue to be grouped according to geographical proximity and will be re-seeded according to the established selection criteria. The committee believes this will provide a more competitive bracket.