The Future of NCAA Division III: Will a “Division X” Reshape College Athletics?

At the recent College Sport Research Institute annual conference, at the University of South Carolina, Dr. Steve Dittmore (University of North Florida) moderated Panel 4 on the current and future landscape of NCAA Division III, joined by Jerry Fisk (Greensboro College athletic director) and Dr. Craig Crow (Geneva College). Titled “Revisiting Calls for a ‘Division X’ in College Athletics,” the panel examined Division III’s growth and institutional diversity, emphasizing how many smaller colleges rely on athletics as a key driver of enrollment and revenue, with some schools enrolling a high percentage of athletes. Drawing on historical context and recent data, the speakers highlighted tensions between institutions with different missions, resources, and competitive philosophies, as well as the influence of Division I-style practices within Division III. The discussion revisited proposals for structural reform, including the idea of a more academically aligned subdivision based on institutional self-selection, and suggested that current financial pressures and shifting priorities may make such a change more feasible; more information about the session is available here: https://www.csri.org/eventschedule (click on the link provided under Panel 4 at 1 pm).