Division III at a Crossroads: Balancing Mission, Money, and Athletics

In his Glory Days Substack, Steve Dittmore offers a deeply researched look at the evolving state of NCAA Division III, the largest NCAA division with 425 member schools. Once rooted in the philosophy that athletics should complement a well-rounded academic experience, Division III has become increasingly shaped by financial pressures, with many schools relying on athletics-driven enrollment and some seeing athlete populations exceed 50% of undergraduates. While 47 institutions in 2024-25 achieved distinction in both academics and athletics—dominated by NESCAC, UAA, Centennial, and Liberty League conference schools—others face closures, mergers, or heavy dependence on tuition from athletes. Dittmore highlights the growing divide within the division, with some voices even reviving the idea of a “Division IV” for schools prioritizing educational balance over enrollment-driven athletics, underscoring a pivotal moment for the future of small-college sports.