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50th Anniversary of Division III

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Division III Small Talk Podcast

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The Small Talk podcast is part of NCAA Division III's year-long celebration of its 50th anniversary. The weekly series brings together a current and former student-athlete from the same program as they discuss the changes around campus, their favorite memories, what they hope for the future of Division III and more. 

Podcast: Apple | Spotify | SoundCloud

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50th Anniversary Resources

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Monthly Newsletter

The NCAA Division III staff has created this monthly newsletter to highlight the division's 50th anniversary celebration throughout the 2023-24 academic year.

Click here for this month's newsletter.

Please contact Katie Mucci to share comments or submit an item to be included. 

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Celebration Calendar

August 7, 2023: Celebration kickoff.

Fall Championships: Anniversary celebration.

Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2023: Week of Service.

Dec. 2, 2023: 100th Championship in Salem, Virginia.

Winter/Spring Championships: Anniversary celebration.

April 1-7, 2024: Division III Week.

August 1, 2024: Conclusion of celebration.

MILESTONE MOMENTS

Below are milestone moments in Division III history. For additional historic dates and a list of the division's founding members, click here.

  • Aug. 6, 1973

    The NCAA votes at a Special Convention to reorganize into three divisions, and the first Division III championships are authorized.

  • Nov. 10, 1973

    The first Division III championship is conducted. Ashland wins the cross country title at Wheaton College (Illinois).

  • January 1974

    The Division III membership votes to ban financial aid based on athletics participation and to use institutional admissions standards to govern eligibility for athletics participation.

  • Jan. 7-9, 1980

    Division III women’s championships are approved in basketball, field hockey, swimming, tennis and volleyball.

  • Jan. 13, 1981

    A governance plan including women’s athletics programs and services within the NCAA structure is approved.

  • Jan. 10-12, 1983

    Division III adopts a philosophy statement, culminating a process it initiated at the 1978 Convention to define its principles.

  • Jan. 8-12, 1989

    The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee is created.

  • January 1991

    Judith Sweet, director of athletics at then-Division III member UC San Diego, becomes the first woman to be elected as NCAA membership president.

  • January 2003

    Swimmer Ashley Jo Rowatt from Kenyon becomes the first NCAA Woman of the Year honoree from a Division III school.

  • January 2022

    The Association adopts a new NCAA Constitution.

  • Jan. 12, 2023

    Women’s soccer student-athlete Karenna Groff of MIT is named NCAA Woman of the Year, the sixth from a Division III institution.