LSDBi
Division III Proposal - 2026-1
CHAMPIONSHIPS -- ESTABLISH A DIVISION III WOMEN'S WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIP
Convention Year: 2026
Date Submitted: June 30, 2025
Status: Adopted Final
Effective Date: August 1, 2026
POPL Number: 9
Official Notice Number: 2026-1
Source: American Rivers Conference, College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin and Middle Atlantic Conferences.
Proposal Category: Membership Proposal
Topical Area: Championships/Postseason Events
Intent: To establish a Division III women's wrestling championship starting in 2027-28 academic year and a Division III Women's Wrestling Committee as specified.
Bylaws: Amend 18.3, as follows:
[Roll Call]
18.3 Current Championships. The Association currently administers 92 national championships. Thirteen are National Collegiate Championships. Additionally, there are 26 Division I championships, 25 Division II championships and 28 Division III championships (see Bylaw 31.02.2 for information about the classification and terminology of championships and see Bylaw 18.2.1 for the voting requirements for the establishment of a new championship). The current championships are as follows:
18.3.1 National Collegiate Championship (13).
| Men (4) | Men and Women (2) | Women (7) |
| Fencing | Rifle | Beach Volleyball |
| Gymnastics | Skiing | Bowling |
| Volleyball (Divisions I and II) | Fencing | |
| Water Polo | Gymnastics | |
| Ice Hockey (Divisions I and II) | ||
| Water Polo | ||
| Wrestling (DI and DII eff. 8/1/27) |
18.3.2 Division III Championships.
| Men (14) | Women (154) |
| Baseball | Basketball |
| Basketball | Cross Country |
| Cross Country | Field Hockey |
| Football | Golf |
| Golf | Ice Hockey |
| Ice Hockey | Lacrosse |
| Lacrosse | Rowing |
| Soccer | Soccer |
| Swimming and Diving | Softball |
| Tennis | Swimming and Diving |
| Indoor Track and Field | Tennis |
| Outdoor Track and Field | Indoor Track and Field |
| Volleyball | Outdoor Track and Field |
| Wrestling | Volleyball |
| Wrestling (eff. 8/1/27) |
Rationale: Currently, there are 55 Division III institutions that sponsor the sport of women's wrestling. Division III accounts for more than half of all NCAA institutions sponsoring women's wrestling, Establishment of a Division III championship would eliminate the inequities of competing against Division I opponents for the national title. A separate Division III championship would provide an avenue for Division III student-athletes to compete against similarly situated programs consistent with the Division III philosophy. An 8/1/26 effective date for the creation of the committee would provide the committee adequate time to gather information and prepare adequately. The championship would be established during the 2027-28 academic year,
Budget Impact: TBD
Primary Contact Person:
Maureen Harty
, Executive Director
Email: mharty@cciw.org
Alternate Co-sponsorship Minimums:
No
Co-sponsorship - Conference:
American Rivers Conference
Middle Atlantic Conferences
Co-sponsorship - Institution:
None
Position Statement(s):
Review History:
None
Convention Vote:
Date of Vote:
January 16, 2026
For: 451
Against: 1
Abstain: 6
Not Present:
Legislative References
| Division | Number | Title |
|---|---|---|
| III | 18.3 | Current Championships. |
| III | 18.3.1 | National Collegiate Championship (15). |
| III | 18.3.2 | Division III Championships. |