Jul 1, 2010 9:32:33 AM

The College Sports Information Directors of America will create a separate Academic All-America award programs for student-athletes competing at Division II and Division III institutions, pending approval from governance bodies in the two divisions.

According to a joint statement from CoSIDA and NCAA leadership, the expansion will occur because of "a joint desire to more directly acknowledge and recognize the academic achievement of student-athletes in those respective divisions."

The proposed program is planned for the start of the 2011-12 academic year. CoSIDA's current "College Division Academic All-America" program would grow from one award to three (Division II, Division III and NAIA/Canadian/two-year institutions/other small colleges). Currently the college division recognizes qualified student-athletes from all non-Division I schools.

The appropriate NCAA governance structures in Divisions II and III must approve the proposal, which likely will be considered within a few months. Each division would commit to significant funding to support the administration of the expanded program. CoSIDA's Academic All-America Committee will plan the administrative and management details of the change.

According to the joint statement, both divisions and CoSIDA are "fully committed to making this expansion happen" by the 2011-12 academic year.