November 13, 2021

Lynn Berling-Manuel

Chief Executive Officer

United Soccer Coaches

Dear Ms. Berling-Manuel:

Thank you for writing to President Emmert regarding the NCAA Division III Men’s and Women’s Soccer Championships.  As the interim vice president of Division III, I am responding on his behalf.  Student-athlete well-being is a foundational component of the NCAA mission and has been a priority for the Association and its members for more than 100 years.  

Each NCAA Division III sport committee consists of coaches and administrators from member schools and conferences who advocate for their sport. The Division III governance process provides an important avenue for these committees to make recommended changes for championships through the Division III Championships Committee. In many instances this process also involves the Division III Strategic Planning and Finance Committee, the Management Council and medical and scientific input from the NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports. 

As you mention, there is currently no prohibition on back-to-back competition days in Division III. At the request of several team sports, the Division III Championships Committee discussed providing a day of rest between rounds at NCAA Division III final sites during its February 2019 meeting. The concerns raised at the time included missed class time and the general impact on the regular season and conference tournament schedules. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the discussion was tabled to be reevaluated after the pandemic.  I can assure you that the concerns that you’ve raised will be shared and considered as part of that reevaluation process.

Thank you again for your communication.

Sincerely,

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Louise McCleary

Interim Vice President of NCAA Division III