The NCAA Division II President's Council has announced that for the 2020-21 academic year only, the minimum number of contests required in Division II for sport sponsorship and championships selection, as well as the maximum number of contests and dates of competition allowed, will be smaller than in years past as a result of financial impacts from COVID-19. The division's highest governing body voted to reduce the minimum number of contests needed for sport sponsorship and championships selection by 33%. The council voted for a one-year reduction to the maximum number of contests and dates of competition, as well. These reductions varied by sport, based on results from a survey administered to presidents and chancellors, directors of athletics and conference commissioners. A sport-by-sport look at the updated minimum and maximum contests for the 2020-21 academic year only can be viewed here.

"The reduction in maximum competitions for our student-athletes is not ideal, but we understand why it needed to occur," said GVSU Director of Athletics Keri Becker. "Our student-athletes work very hard to improve their craft and competitions are the reward for the work required to reach their goals. With this said, everyone is making sacrifices for the good of the whole and in alignment with the reality of budgets for the upcoming year. Despite these reductions, we are committed to ensuring we  deliver the best possible student-athlete experience while they receive an exceptional education from Grand Valley State University," added Becker.

The reductions stemmed from financial struggles Division II institutions are facing due to the pandemic. Many institutions, per feedback from leadership throughout Division II, will not be able to afford the same level of travel or meet current standards for championships selections or sports sponsorship, even if sports begin as scheduled in the fall term. In addition, concerns of competitive inequity also have been expressed from across the division if maximum numbers for playing and practice seasons were not adjusted along with reductions to the minimums.

"The financial challenges faced by institutions because of COVID-19 are considerable and, as we prepare for summer and fall, continue to increase," said Sandra Jordan, chancellor of South Carolina Aiken and chair of the Division II Presidents Council. "The approved reductions strike an important balance of providing schools with scheduling flexibility, maintaining competitive equity within the one-year reductions to minimums and maximums, and continuing to prioritize opportunities for student-athletes to compete in NCAA championships. Periods of national crisis require carefully considered compromise."

The Presidents Council made the final decision on the issues after receiving recommendations from the Division II Management Council, which considered feedback from several leadership groups, Division II governance committees and two surveys of the division's leadership.

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 NCAA contributed to this release