Future of Division III

[Ralph Turner]

The SPOPL was released today.

SPOPL is NCAA-ese for Second Publication of Pending Legislation.

The Male practice player restriction amendment is on page 13 of 23.

[Sabretooth Tiger]

Interesting distinctions based on gender, and only running in one direction.  Not sure what impact Title VII or Title IX might have on this proposed rule, or state anti-discrimination laws.  On its face, it seems that it would not pass muster absent some sort of exclusion from equal opportunity laws. 

[Ralph Turner]

The current furor over the role of athletics and D-1 style athletics and Rutgers

Professor William C. Dowling

Charges of racism against Dr Dowling by the Rutgers' President

[Ralph Turner]

Kathy DeBoer, Executive Director American Volleyball Coaches Assn., talking about Title IX.

Title IX, a dialogue of the deaf.  We all talk; we do not listen.

She is not quoted as to what she would "do" to correct the problem.

"Is there going to be another Karch Kiraly?"

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

What does Karch Kiraly have to do with anything?  What have I missed here?

[Ralph Turner]

What does Karch Kiraly have to do with anything?  What have I missed here?

Google search for Karch Kiraly

Kiraly is a 3-time Olympic Gold Medalist in Volleyball and is associated with the growth and popularity of Pro Beach Volleyball.

Ms. DeBoer's rhetorical question has to do with the changes in athletic funding that have occurred with Title IX.   

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Gotcha.  I didn't know if there was something more than that.  It does make sense that the volleyball coach would use a volleyball example.  It's too early for me to think that clearly.

[johnnie_esq]

I caught an interesting posting on the Sports law blog regarding competitive balance in college sports.  The essence of the article questions whether we really want (and if the NCAA truly fosters) competitive balance in our divisions.  Thought this would be the appropriate forum to bring this up, and while the article does not specifically refer to D-III athletics, the issues posed do translate, and seem relevant as we question moves regarding further subdivision of D-III.

[Ralph Turner]

I caught an interesting posting on the Sports law blog regarding competitive balance in college sports.  The essence of the article questions whether we really want (and if the NCAA truly fosters) competitive balance in our divisions.  Thought this would be the appropriate forum to bring this up, and while the article does not specifically refer to D-III athletics, the issues posed do translate, and seem relevant as we question moves regarding further subdivision of D-III.

Johnnie, as long as we permit conferences to develop with access to the playoff system, I think that it will continue to foster competitive balance.  The SLIAC is adding football and that champion will have done something special.  So will the champion of the MIAC, the WIAC, the SCIAC, NEFC, etc.  They beat their competitive peers. 

Winning the conference is a big deal.  Only 1 out every 6.5 schools at best makes the playoffs.  For every Kenyon football team, you have a Kenyon swimming team.  I really respect Calvin hoops, but I know that Hope football is better.

If the reason to split D-IV is that we will not be able to sustain a 1:6.5 playoff ratio, and the splitting into two divisions will allow that ratio to continue with reasonable post-season durations, then I can live with the split.

[Ralph Turner]

D-IV teaser on the NCAA web site encouraging registration for the Jan 10-14, 2008 meeting.

The D-IV discussion is scheduled for Saturday, January 12th 2:30-3:30 pm.

[Ralph Turner]

Here is a update on Shenandoah wanting to join the ODAC. (Courtesy of Shenandoah fan, Uncle Jessie)

http://www.su.edu/pr/publications/sun/Oct17.pdf

Shenandoah has sought membership in the ODAC, (leaving the USA South), for travel reasons as much as anything.  The ODAC gained an 11th male school when Randolph Macon Women's College went co-ed and is now known as Randolph College.

The USA South does not offer championships in all sports in which Shenandoah competes.

The pertinence of this article in the Shenandoah paper to the "Future of D-III" is the concern that the ODAC Presidents state that up to 300 schools are wanting to join D-III.  There is also the concern of schools leaving for the "new D-IV".  This disruption would re-configure all of the schools in the mid-Atlantic and across the country.

The ODAC is awaiting the shuffling before committing to Shenandoah.

[Bob Maxwell]

Ralph,

Interesting information in the last two posts...  It will be very interesting to see the information that the committee presents in Januaray.

Also, the Shenandoah and ODAC is interesting... but opening the link up, I was excited to see another school committing to going green (and not just becasue I'm a Brockport fan- LOL).  I work at a school where the president has made it a priority... and our football coach is the face of the campus Go Green campaign.  As a member of our campus Environmental Task Force, it is great to see another school make the commitment!

But the real interesting issue is still what the face of of D-III will be in a few years.

[Warren Thompson]

Ralph et al.:

The next couple of years should be interesting as concerns D3 and a possible D4.
(Isn't there an ancient Chinese curse that goes, "May you live in interesting times"?)

[PA_wesleyfan]

Shenandoah has or had associate membership in the PnAC for the last few years in some sports. I believe Wesley played them in lacrosse. Of course some the Pnac schools have now departed so I imagine that that conference is also in chaos

[Bob Maxwell]

Warren,

Thanks for the chuckle of that proverb... and I think your correct.

Also, I recall something about being careful what you ask for, as you may get it.

I would bet that some schools may want to rethink their decisions a year or two after making it.