LSDBi
Division I Proposal - 2025-4
CHAMPIONSHIPS AND POSTSEASON FOOTBALL -- NATIONAL COLLEGIATE CHAMPIONSHIPS -- SEPARATE MEN'S AND WOMEN'S FENCING CHAMPIONSHIPS
Status: Adopted Final
Intent: In men's and women's fencing, to establish separate national collegiate championships.
A. Bylaws: Amend 18.3, as follows:
[Common provision, all divisions, divided vote]
18.3 Current Championships. The Association administers 9192 national championships. Twelve Thirteen are National Collegiate Championships. Additionally, there are 26 Division I championships, 25 Division II championships and 28 Division III championships. The current championships are as follows:
18.3.1 National Collegiate Championships (1213).
| Men (34) | Men and Women (32) | Women (67) |
| Fencing | Fencing | Beach Volleyball |
| Gymnastics | Rifle | Bowling |
| Volleyball (Divisions I and II) | Skiing | Fencing |
| Water Polo | Gymnastics | |
| Ice Hockey (Divisions I and II) | ||
| Water Polo | ||
| Wrestling |
[18.3.2 unchanged.]
B. Bylaws: Amend 20.8, as follows:
[Common provision, all divisions, divided vote]
20.8 Eligibility for National Collegiate and Division Championships.
20.8.1 Eligibility for National Collegiate Championships. Separate championships in each division are not sponsored in the following sports:
| Women's beach volleyball | Women's gymnastics | Men's volleyball (Divisions I and II) |
| Women's bowling | Women's ice hockey (Divisions I and II) | Men's water polo |
| Men's and women's fencing | Men's and women's rifle | Women's water polo |
| Women's fencing | Men's and women's skiing | Women's wrestling |
| Men's gymnastics |
[20.8.2 unchanged.]
Source: NCAA Division I Council (Sports Oversight Committee)
Effective Date:August 1, 2025
Proposal Category: Amendment
Topical Area: Championships and Postseason Football
Rationale: Under the current scoring format, institutions that sponsor only women's fencing face a statistical impossibility to win a national championship. The separation of the two championships would allow for a more equitable championship experience and a realistic pathway for all teams to compete for a national championship. Establishing a women's fencing championship will support the growth, development and recognition of women's championships. This proposal is the result of collaborative work of the USOPC/NCAA collegiate fencing sport management pilot. As a national collegiate championship, this proposal requires adoption by all three divisions.
Division I Commitment addressed by proposal: The Commitment to Value-Based Legislation.
Is the proposal consequential or nationally significant?: Yes. Establishing a national collegiate championship is nationally significant.
Is the proposal enforceable and how do the merits outweigh monitoring burdens?: Yes. This proposal does not create additional monitoring burden.
How does the proposal support student-athlete success/well-being?: The change to the championship would provide competitive equity to the nine programs and the 154 student-athletes currently representing women’s-only fencing programs. Women's fencing student-athletes and their coaches would have a realistic pathway toward a national collegiate championship, which, in turn, will further incentivize grassroots participation and promote growth in the sport.
Estimated Budget Impact: Costs associated with an increase in the operational budget for four additional sets of team awards (estimated at $7,200).
Impact on Student-Athlete's Time (Academic and/or Athletics): None.
History
| Apr 22, 2025: | In Progress | |
| May 12, 2025: | Ready for Vote | |
| Jun 25, 2025: | Adopted by Council | Proposal must be adopted by all three divisions to be final and effective. |
| Jul 22, 2025: | Adopted Final | Adopted by Divisions II and III. |
Legislative References
| Division | Number | Title |
|---|---|---|
| I | 18.3 | Current Championships. |
| I | 18.3.1 | National Collegiate Championships (12). |
| I | 20.8 | Eligibility for National Collegiate and Division Championships. |
| I | 20.8.1 | Eligibility for National Collegiate Championships. |