St. Thomas has not yet been given a path forward into Division I, but a key hurdle has been cleared. Photo by Caleb Williams, d3photography.com

During its June meeting, the Division I Council introduced a proposal into the 2020-21 legislative cycle that would establish a reclassification process for schools to transition directly from Division III to Division I.

The proposal was recommended by the Division I Strategic Vision and Planning Committee, which met by videoconference Monday, June 15.

The current 12-year process requires Division III schools to first reclassify to Division II before joining Division I. If adopted, the process to transition directly from Division III to Division I would require at minimum five years.

“We have spent several months examining data that reflect outcomes for schools transitioning to DI based on certain benchmarks, including academic profile, financial aid awards, sports sponsorship, competitive equity and financial sustainability,” said Rick George, chair of the Strategic Vision and Planning Committee and athletics director at Colorado. “This proposed pathway for Division III schools to successfully make the transition to Division I accounts for any additional challenges those schools may face in reaching membership requirements.”

Under this proposal, Division III members planning to reclassify to Division I would be required to spend at least one year in the pre-application process. Criteria to move forward from that pre-application period to the existing Division I reclassification process would include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Submitting a strategic plan.
• Conducting a feasibility study for Division I requirements, including provision of athletics scholarships and meeting compliance standards.
• Securing a formal invitation to join a Division I conference.
• Establishing school policies and procedures that reflect a commitment to Division I principles, including academic integrity, diversity and inclusion, and student-athlete health and well-being.

“The existing process for Division II schools transitioning to Division I has been successful in preparing those schools for meaningful membership in Division I, and we believe that with additional time meeting certain benchmarks, Division III schools could be equally well-positioned to make that transition,” George said.

St. Thomas, which has previously announced an intention to move to NCAA Division I, has secured an invitation to join the Summit League. While this legislation is under consideration, the Council indicated it would be receptive to a formal waiver request from St. Thomas and the Summit League that would allow the school to begin the reclassification process.

“We will immediately begin work with Commissioner Tom Douple and the NCAA to formally submit our waiver request,” said Phil Esten, St. Thomas vice president and director of athletics. “While I know all of us are anxiously awaiting definitive word on where we will be competing starting with the 2021-22 season, we must remain patient for just a little while longer. As always, I remain optimistic about the future of Tommie athletics, and we look forward to continuing to work with the NCAA on the reclassification process.”