The
Differences Between Division I, II, and III?
In general, the differences among Divisions I, II, and III
lie in the number of sports institutions are required to sponsor and the amount
of athletically related financial aid an institution awards to
student-athletes. There are no minimums or maximums on the enrollment of an
institution as it relates to its membership division. The division in which an
institution holds membership is selected by the institution based on the
criteria below as well as the institution's philosophies and missions as they
relate to the conduct of the intercollegiate athletics program.
In Division I, an institution must sponsor a minimum of
either seven sports for men and seven sports for women or six sports for men
and eight sports for women. In Divisions II and III, an institution must
sponsor a minimum or five sports for men and five sports for women.
In Divisions I and II, an institution may award athletics
scholarships to student-athletes, and the number of scholarships an institution
may award varies between divisions and varies from sport to sport. Division III
institutions are not allowed to award any type of financial aid based in any
way on athletics ability. Further, in Division I, an institution must provide a
minimum amount of institutional financial aid awards to student-athletes. This
minimum requirement may be satisfied by complying with one of four legislative
options described in the NCAA Division I Manual.
Obviously, there are additional differences among the
three divisions in other areas such as recruiting, academic eligibility,
playing and practice limitations, awards and benefits, and scheduling.
Additionally, institutions competing in Division I-A football must meet minimum
attendance requirements each year in that sport.
|
Opportunities Through Athletics, inc. (Oi) PH: 770-579-6464 |