An increasing number of schools and conferences are adding this sport, both as club > varsity and as varsity.  The NFL is one of the big proponents and sponsors of this initiative, in D3 and elsewhere.  The Atlantic East conference late last month announced it would be a varsity sport this spring with games kicking off this weekend.  Participating schools are Centenary (NJ), Gwynedd-Mercy, Immaculata, Marymount (NJ), Marywood, and Neumann.  Eastern, Holy Family, Penn State-Schuykill, and Chesnut Hill will participate as affiliates.

According to a recent CBS News article, the NFL's sponsorship (through its NFL FLAG program) has resulted in the organization of over 1,800 leagues across the nation with nearly 700,000 players.  With the low costs associated with sponsoring the sport, you can expect an increasing number of schools and conferences to add this program to enhance recruiting and also improve Title IX compliance, and the NCAA (assuming it continues to exist) to add WFF as a championship sport.

https://www.ncaa.org/news/2025/2/21/media-center-division-iii-announces-livestreaming-partnership-for-winter-spring-championships.aspx

QuoteEvery game from the Division III Men's and Women's Basketball Championships (through the sectionals) and the Division III Men's and Women's Ice Hockey Championships will be livestreamed on ncaa.com. For the spring season, the baseball, softball, men's volleyball and men's and women's lacrosse championships will be livestreamed on ncaa.com. Every Division III game will be available at https://www.ncaa.com/champs-pass and by using the NCAA Championships Pass app for Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku and Android TV devices.

The only NCAA championship games not available on Hudl are the men's and women's basketball semis and championships, which will be on ESPN+. 

Thanks to a tweet today from Frank Rossi, we now know that the Middle States Commission on Higher Education plans to revoke Keystone's accrediation effective the end of this year.  The college will have a chance to appeal, but looking at the laundry list of findings, overturning the decision doesn't seem all that likely.  You can see the whole history of this process at the link above, but the findings include:

QuoteThe institution failed to

• (1) provide evidence that demonstrates compliance with Commission standards for accreditation (Standard II, Ethics and Integrity; Standard VI, Planning, Resources, and Institutional Improvement; and Standard VII, Governance, Leadership, and Administration), policies and procedures, and applicable federal regulatory requirements;
• (2) demonstrate the capacity to make required improvements; and
• (3) demonstrate that it can sustain itself in the short or long term (Accreditation Actions Policy and Procedures).

The institution failed to provide evidence of compliance with

• (1) all applicable government laws and regulations (Standard II);
• (2) documented financial resources, funding base, and plans for financial development adequate to support its educational purposes and programs and to ensure financial stability (Standard VI);
• (3) a record of responsible fiscal management, including preparing a multi-year budget (Standard VI);
• (4) program responsibilities under existing federal title IV and other state laws and regulations, including any audits of financial aid programs as required by federal and state regulations (Standard II and Standard VI);
• (5) a governing body that serves the public interest, ensures that the institution clearly states and fulfills its mission and goals, has fiduciary responsibility for the institution, and is ultimately accountable for the academic quality, integrity, planning, and fiscal well-being of the institution (Standard VII); and
• (6) a governing body that plays a basic policy-making role in financial affairs to ensure integrity and strong financial management, including but not limited to timely review of audited financial statements and other documents related to the fiscal viability of the institution (Standard VII).

According to this article, the school plans to file its appeal by next Tuesday (December 3rd).  The article further states

QuoteCollege officials said Keystone will stay accredited and remain open until the appeal process is completed, with officials planning for the spring semester. They added the commission has indicated the preliminary timeframe for an appeal hearing is March of next year.

That said, it also states

QuoteDuring the appeal, the college can't enroll or recruit new students, [must] maintain a clear and accurate statement about its accreditation phase and status on its website, have an approved teach out plan with agreements and remain in operation.

Being unable to recruit or enroll new students for several months at this critical time certainly will not help Keystone's prospects. 

For those who haven't followed this saga, Keystone has been in danger of losing accreditation for some time, have been very tight-lipped about their plans to address the situation, and earlier this year announced a "merger" with something called WIER, the Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit Washington Institute for Education and Research, but have released virtually no details of how the merged entity would operate or be funded.

Per https://www.sportico.com/leagues/college-sports/2024/opendorse-layoffs-nil-tech-industry-1234816704/

QuoteOpendorse, the athlete NIL technology platform, issued a round of layoffs this week, four months after the Nebraska-based company made a significant change to its executive structure.

The company cut roughly 15 positions (23%), according to sources familiar with the situation, bringing its current workforce to around 50 staffers. That's about half of what Opendorse employed a few years ago, when it staffed up following the NCAA's adoption of name, image and likeness.

So enjoy this year's Opendorse Bowl Series, because it may not be back if they had to cut a quarter of their staff.

Those who have been around a while know that the boards that soccer fans enjoy here are actually provided by the D3sports.com team, which focuses on other sports (primarily American football, basketball, and baseball in more or less that order).  There used to be a separate team that handled the soccer side of things (and there was a supporting d3soccer.com standalone site) but the volunteers who ran it were eventually exhausted by the effort and all that's left (other than SC's new D3Soccer.Fans site) are the men's and women's soccer boards here.

If you've used this site enough you know there are times it is cranky, slow, or unresponsive.  The D3sports.com team announced in their football podcast today that the boards will be moved to a new site later this week, so even though this isn't really something they support (other than allowing the boards to continue), we should all benefit after the transition.   The time hasn't been announced, but when I hear I'll update this thread.   

https://www.ncaa.org/news/2024/4/18/media-center-diii-management-council-supports-expanding-football-team-sport-brackets.aspx

The D3 Management Council this week recommended expansion of all playoff fields to support a 1:6 access ratio, meaning that if the President's Council approves (which they almost always do), 2024 will see 40 teams selected.  There will be a single at-large pool; no more "Pool B" (which almost never had enough qualifying football teams to get a bid)/"Pool C".

They also recommended replacing the current Pool C selection criteria with the "NCAA Power Index", aka Pairwise, for all sports starting in the 2024-25 school year.

https://www.ncaa.org/news/2024/4/18/media-center-diii-management-council-supports-expanding-football-team-sport-brackets.aspx

QuoteThe Division III Management Council took action this week to support expanding the football championship bracket from 32 to 40 teams and to change the championship access ratio for all team sports to 1:6.

In addition to the bracket expansion in football, there will also be a single at-large pool for bids, combining the previously used Pools B and C.

Additionally, the council approved the use of the NCAA Power Index for selection of at-large berths to team sports championships. The changes will go into effect starting with 2024 fall championships.

If adopted by the President's Council (which nearly always approves Management Council rcommndations), playoff bracket sizes will change as follows:

Football: 32 --> 40
Baseball:  60 --> 64
Men's ice hockey:  12 --> 14
Women's ice hockey:  11 --> 12
Field hockey: 26 --> 28
Men's lacrosse:  38 --> 40
Women's lacrosse:  46 --> 47
Softball: 62 --> 64
Men's volleyball: 16 --> 19

Probably a decent new thread given the state of d3soccer.com

Week 1:  Jordan Bossman, Junior, MF/F, Anderson

Bossman became the first player in Anderson history to record hat tricks in back-to-back games.  Bossman only played for 25:40 against UC Clermont, but scored three goals in Anderson's 4-1 win. He then posted another hat trick in Anderson's 5-3 victory against Concordia Chicago.  Anderson went 2-0 in the Raven/Quaker Classic, winning its first title since 2018, and Bossman was selected as the Raven/Quaker Classic Offensive MVP.  He finished with six goals in two matches.

Incoming Trinity(TX) first year Malea Cesar, 19, is a member of the Philippines team that qualified for its first-ever FIFA WWC, to be held this month in Australia/New Zealand. 

Any others? 

https://www.ncaa.org/news/2022/3/4/media-center-appeals-process-proposed-for-football-players-called-for-targeting-in-second-half.aspx

All rule proposals must be approved by the Playing Rules Oversight Panel, which is scheduled to discuss football rules recommendations April 20. If approved, these changes would take effect in the 2022 season.

• In games that have instant replay, when a targeting foul occurs in the second half, the carryover penalty (of sitting out the first half of that player's next game) will be eligible for further appeal.
• To address teams that are awarded an injury timeout through deceptive actions, the committee proposed a reporting and investigation process.
• Allow blocking below the waist only by linemen and stationary backs inside the tackle box. Outside the tackle box on scrimmage plays, blocking below the waist would be prohibited.
• If a ball carrier simulates a feet-first slide, officials would declare the runner down at that spot.
• An adjustment to the uniform policy: the sock/leg covering would have to cover the entire area from the shoe to the bottom of the pants.
• Defensive holding would remain a 10-yard penalty but would always carry an automatic first down.

And the first domino has fallen ... Lycoming and Wilkes are moving to the Landmark, which is starting up football as a conference sport in Fall 2023 and will qualify for a new Pool A bid. 

https://www.landmarkconference.org/general/2021-22/releases/14102022-landmark-expansion

There are 9 proposals to be considered by the D3 membership at this week's NCAA convention (source):

Playing and practice seasons in football - addresses concerns regarding head impact exposure by reducing contact overall in the preseason and traditional season while increasing opportunities to teach appropriate blocking and tackling techniques during the spring

International student-athlete amateurism certification - requires the NCAA Eligibility Center to certify the amateurism of all international student-athletes enrolling on or after Aug. 1, 2023.

Expanded ability to practice without using a season of competition - allow student-athletes to participate in a full season of practice without using a season of competition if the athlete does not compete in any games.

Permit the Division III Presidents Council to sponsor and adopt emergency legislation under defined circumstances.

Establish equestrian as an emerging sport for women.

Reduce the minimum number of multisport conference members required for automatic qualification for Division III championships from seven to six.

Reduce the minimum number of member schools required to form a single-sport conference from seven to six.

Eliminate the option for a student-athlete to sign a waiver declining the sickle cell solubility test.

Permit Division III member schools with Division I sports to apply all Division I legislation, including Bylaw 15 (financial aid), to the Division I sports. In 2020, NCAA legislation was updated permitting Division III schools sponsoring Division I sports to apply all Division I rules to those programs except for principles of financial aid.

Some really bad ideas here IMO.  Reducing AQ conferences from 7 to 6 schools has the potential to increase the number of auto bids, making Pool C's even harder to come by.  Allowing SAs to practice for a year without losing eligibility if they don't play will basically enable the practice of red-shirting in D3 again.  And it would be nice to know what the "defined circumstances" are for "emergency legislation" by the President's Council - likely a COVID-related measure but still.   

I found the actual proposals from the NCAA at this site but it's too much legalese for me to dive into this morning. 

New year, new thread, starting with a big one from the ASC:

Hardin-Simmons Coach Marcus Wood (387-44-32 in 22 seasons with 20 ASC championships) steps down for position at D2 Dallas Baptist University.

They're members of the AMCC in other sports (except NEAC for lacrosse) but say they are seeking other affiliations for football and women's ice hockey.  All new sports will begin next year at off-campus facilities; a fundraiser is underway for a new T&F/football facility.  The new head coach of the football program will be announced next Tuesday.

With enrollment that has declined over the years to "Approx 800 students" and a tiny endowment ($7m according to this link; not in NACUBO reports) this is likely an attempt to shore up those numbers. 

https://hilberthawks.com/news/2021/11/4/general-hilbert-to-add-three-athletic-programs.aspx

Pushes the 3-point line to 22 feet, 1¾ inches from the current 20 feet, 9 inches.   D3 teams made 5.7 of 19.3 from beyond the shorter arc - 29.5% - in the season past.   More at  https://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/media-center/news/international-3-point-line-distance-approved-women-s-basketball

https://www.bjubruins.com/news/2020/6/23/general-NCAA-Approves-Provisional-Status-to-BJU.aspx

Will be the first Division III school in South Carolina if they complete the provisional process, will be seeking a conference afilliation.  ~2400 undergraduates.

M/W basketball, golf, soccer, T&F, XC
M baseball
W volleyball

Pine Manor College, a D3 independent, becomes the first school in the division to fall as a result of COVID (and longstanding other) issues.  The school was down to about 300 students prior to this announcement.

http://www.pmc.edu/pine-manor-college-and-boston-college-announce-institutional-agreement
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/05/13/metro/boston-college-will-take-over-pine-manor/

https://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/media-center/news/ncaa-presidents-set-revised-financial-distribution-support-college-athletes

QuoteDivision III will receive 3.18% of actual revenues, currently projected to be $10.7 million for the division, which is a $22 million decrease from last year. These amounts will be used to fund national programs.

Get ready for smaller tournaments, longer bus rides, stays at camping grounds, or all of the above.

https://twitter.com/GoodmanHoops/status/1238509859856924672

"The NCAA's Council Coordination Committee has agreed to grant relief for the use of a season of competition for student-athletes who have participated in spring sports.

Committee will also discuss issues for winter sport student-athletes."

There are a boatload of proposals being adopted (for the most part) at this weekend's NCAA convention.   These are paraphrased; the complete proposals can be seen on NCAA D3 twitter.

2020-1:  Active members/conferences shall designate an athletics diversity and inclusion designee.   ADOPTED
2020-2:  Changes to provisional process for non-NCAA members; reduces from four to three years; a provisional members that cannot gain full membership in that time can apply for a one-time repeat of a year.   ADOPTED
2020-3:  Same as 2020-2 for NCAA members.  ADOPTED
2020-4: Members may provide snacks and "permissible nutrional supplements" to student-athletes as a benefit.  ADOPTED  #nomnom
2020-5A:  Members may provide practice expenses for golf during an official vacation period regardless of location.   ADOPTED
2020-5B:  Same as 5A for swimming/diving.  ADOPTED
2020-6:  Allows student-athletes serving in a leadership capacity to voluntarily participate in leadership programming (with many exclusions to keep the focus on leadership rather than having anything to do with the actual team sport).   ADOPTED
2020-7:  Add equestrian as an emerging sport for women.  DEFEATED
2020-8:  Add acrobatics and tumbling as an emerging sport for women.   ADOPTED
2020-9:  Add wrestling as an emerging sport for women.  ADOPTED
2020-10:  Teams in year 3/4 of the provisional/reclassifying process count towards the seven members needed to make up a conference, as long as there are four active members.  ADOPTED
2020-11:  Members with D1 sports may apply all D1 legislation, except Bylaw 15 (financial aid), to the D1 sports. ADOPTED
2020-12:  Directs the Softball and Baseball Committees to explore "concerns" with emphasis on championship timing as it relates to said concerns, with implementation no later than Spring 2023.  ADOPTED