During its two-day virtual meeting this week, the NCAA’s Division III Management Council took action to support legislation on deregulating betting on professional sports.
Student-Athletes, Staff Will Seek Help For Problem Gambling?
According to the NCAA’s news release, the council directed staff to “develop concepts for the appropriate Division III committees regarding a safe harbor, limited immunity or reduced penalties for student-athletes who engage in prohibited sports betting but seek help for problem gambling.”
“Exploring the concept of a safe harbor or limited immunity for student-athletes involved with sports betting reaffirms that harm reduction and education will continue to be paramount. We are seeking to deregulate betting on professional sports because we believe it will be more likely that student-athletes and staff will seek help for problem gambling,” said Jason Verdugo, chair of the council and athletics director at Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
The Division III Management Council also approved a proposal “to deregulate legislation about financial donations from outside organizations and allow for schools and conferences to pursue partnerships and sponsorships with professional sports organizations.”
The Management Council reports directly to the Presidents Council and handles the implementation of policies adopted by the Association’s Board of Governors and Division III Presidents Council. The Management Council is able to sponsor legislative proposals and make interpretations of Division III’s bylaws.
Eligibility Pilot Waiver Program
Additionally, the council recommended to the Presidents Council a waiver pilot program that would permit Division III student-athletes, pursuant to specific criteria, to continue to represent their school in intercollegiate competition while enrolled at another school that has a formal academic agreement with their school and does not sponsor varsity athletics.
This pilot program will offer expanded pathways for student-athletes to pursue their academic goals and complete their participation opportunity.
The Presidents Council will consider the recommendation and take final action during its meeting later this month. If the program is approved, schools could submit waiver requests for the 2025-26 academic year.
Coaches Connect Program
Moreover, the Management Council approved a request to establish a Coaches Connect Program. The program aims to improve communication, engagement, and education of Division III coaches in governance and championships.
The program’s objective is to prepare coaches to make informed decisions and collaborate with athletics administrators and their conference office.
The program would have a head coach representative from each conference that sponsors the sport, the NCAA Division III championships manager, sport and rules committee members, a Championships Committee representative, a Division III academic and membership affairs staff member, and a coach’s association representative.
Of course, the program will be implemented for three sports in 2025-26. Four videoconferences will be held between September and June to discuss problems that impact each sport.
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