General | 5/20/2020 10:00:00 AM

May 20, 2020-In response to the financial implications of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Division II Presidents Council approved changes to the required number of contests for all sports during the 2020-21 academic year only.
 
"This conversation has been going on for the last several weeks," said Emporia State Athletic Director Kent Weiser. "Every school in the nation faces uncertain times as far as finances, revenue, enrollment, and state support. So we begin those conversations look for ways to preserve seasons and still play."

In April, the Division II Conference Commissioners Association conducted a survey in which nearly 95% of the division's athletics directors participated. From the survey, the Division II CCA put forward the initial proposal to reduce minimums and maximums. The proposal was brought to the Division II Championships Committee, Membership Committee, Legislation Committee and Student-Athlete Advisory Committee for their discussion and recommendations. The Presidents Council approved the changes on May 19, 2020.
 
Over the next few weeks the MIAA scheduling subcommittee, comprised of an administrator from each MIAA member institution, will review schedules for the 2020-21 academic year, and make modifications where necessary to comply with the new NCAA requirements.  The MIAA is hopeful that schedule adjustments will be approved by the CEO Council when that group meets by videoconference on June 15.
 
"Getting ahead of it and saying let's play fewer games but let's still play really came into it," said Weiser. "This is a sacrifice that we will all have to make, but I don't think we lose the integrity of the sport and you don't lose that experience that competition brings."

The council approved a blanket waiver for a 33% reduction in minimum sports sponsorship requirements for all Division II sports. The council also reduced the maximum number of contests and dates of competition each Division II championship sport can participate in 2020-21. This action required a three-fourths majority to pass. Based on the survey data from last week, roughly 85% of the 435 Division II leaders supported a reduction to the maximums. Each sport's reduction to its maximum varies based on feedback from the survey.

For Emporia State in the fall football will go from 11 games to ten games, volleyball will go from 26 dates to 20 dates, soccer will drop from 18 matches to 14 matches, and cross country will have six dates available for competition down from seven.
 
Men's and women's basketball were both allowed 26 games with two exemptions for conference challenges. That has been reduced to 22 games with no exemptions, however discretionary scrimmages and exhibitions will still be allowed.
 
Track and field has seen the maximum number of dates for competition reduced to 14 combined indoors and outdoors.
 
In the spring baseball will go from 50 games to 40 games while softball will go from 56 to 44 contests.  Men's and women's tennis will be limited to 17 dates of competition, down from a previous maximum of 25 dates.
 
"Just like everything related to COVID-19 it's been difficult and something we hadn't planned on. I never in my wildest dreams would have thought the Final Four would be canceled," said Weiser. "When that happened it showed the gravity of what we are faced with nationally and how it filters down to each institution."
 
Statement from the NCAA Division II Presidents Council:
"NCAA Division II conferences and institutions have acknowledged through survey feedback on contests reductions that COVID-19 has presented us with financial challenges that we are proactively addressing together. In that spirit, and as a result of the governance structure's decision to reduce contest maximums, thus affecting current schedules, we strongly encourage all member institutions and conferences to work cooperatively and collegially when adjusting schedules. Please keep in mind the purpose behind these actions is to assist all institutions with short-term financial concerns so that we may emerge stronger as a membership and division."
 

Sport	Minimum Contests for Sponsorship	Minimum Contests for Championship Selection	Maximum Number of Contests/Dates
Baseball	16	16	40 contests
Men's Basketball	15	15	22 contests*
Women's Basketball	15	15	22 contests*
Cross Country	3	3	6 dates
Football	5	7	10 contests
Women's Soccer	7	7	14 contests
Softball	16	16	44 contests
Men's Tennis	7	7	17
Women's Tennis	7	7	17
Track and Field – Indoor	3	3	14 dates (combined indoor and outdoor)
Track and Field – Outdoor	3	3	14 dates (combined indoor and outdoor)
Women's Volleyball	10	10	20 dates