In partnership with

JANUARY 19, 2026
composed by STEVE ULRICH
No publication covers NCAA Division III better. #whyD3

🎶 Your Morning Pick Me Up. Twist and Shout. The Beatles

📖 In Today’s Playbook. Delegates Approve Establishment of DIII Women’s Wrestling Championship. NCAA To Add Four New Championships. Chambliss Sues NCAA in Test of Medical Waiver System. Hohney Breaks 500 Record. Latest Wedding Trend: Smaller Entourages.

🗞 We Need Your Support. D3Playbook is your best source for news from around Division III. If you like what you see, please support us with a subscription.

Top Story

1. Delegates Approve Establishment of DIII Women’s Wrestling Championship

“Division III delegates approved multiple proposals at their business session Friday at the NCAA Convention.

Key legislative proposals included establishing a Division III championship for women's wrestling, redefining how a season of eligibility is used, permitting multiple automatic qualifiers for conferences, and requiring mandatory use of the NCAA Transfer Portal.

Delegates additionally approved National Collegiate Championships in both stunt and acrobatics and tumbling. Both inaugural championships will be held in spring 2027. Delegates also approved women's flag football as an emerging sport with an immediate effective date.”

» Women’s Wrestling. “The division established the Division III Women's Wrestling Championships starting in the 2027-28 academic year.”

» Season of Eligibility. “Delegates defeated a proposal that would have changed how a season of eligibility is used.”

» Multiple Conference AQ. “Delegates also defeated a formula to provide multiple automatic qualifiers to multisport conferences that have 12 or more core members that sponsor a sport.”

» Transfer Portal. “Delegates approved a proposal to require the mandatory use of the NCAA Transfer Portal for Division III for NCAA four-year college transfer student-athletes.”

A MESSAGE FROM AG1

One Simple Scoop For Better Health

The best healthy habits aren't complicated. AG1 Next Gen helps support gut health and fill common nutrient gaps with one daily scoop. It's one easy routine that fits into real life and keeps your health on track all day long. Start your mornings with AG1 and keep momentum on your side.

2. NCAA To Add Four New Championships

“At the 2026 NCAA Convention in the Washington, D.C., area, acrobatics and tumbling, stunt, Division II bowling and Division III women's wrestling were voted to become NCAA Championships, while flag football entered the Emerging Sports for Women program.

This is the first time four championships have been added at one NCAA Convention, representing the meteoric rise of emerging women's sports at the NCAA level.”

» What They’re Saying. "We are thrilled to add four new women's championships to the NCAA. This moment reflects the growth of college sports, as schools continue to provide a record number of scholarships and opportunities across the NCAA. By expanding championship opportunities, we celebrate the remarkable momentum of women's sports, ensuring more student-athletes have the chance to compete for national titles, represent their institutions and inspire future generations," NCAA President Charlie Baker said.

3. Chambliss Sues NCAA in Test of Medical Waiver System

“Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss on Friday petitioned a Lafayette County (Miss.) Chancery court for an injunction to force the NCAA to allow him to play a fourth “countable” season of college football in what would be his sixth year of college.

The case, brought by attorneys Tom Mars, William Liston III and W. Lawrence Deas, argues that Chambliss is a third-party beneficiary and that the NCAA has breached a contractual duty of good faith and fair dealing. Chambliss v. NCAA could shake up the system of waiver requests for college athletes and spawn other lawsuits.”

» Why It Matters. “The NCAA limits eligibility to four seasons of intercollegiate competition—including junior college and Division II competition—within a five-year period. Chambliss seeks what would be a fourth full season, with his redshirt season and 2022 season not counting, across six years.”

» Field Awareness. “The NCAA says the documents provided by Ole Miss refer to a doctor’s visit in December 2022, with a physician writing that Chambliss was “doing very well” after last seeing him in August 2022. The NCAA also contends that Ferris State “indicated it had no documentation on medical treatment, injury reports or medical conditions involving the student-athlete during that time frame” and that the school instead attributed Chambliss not playing to “developmental needs and our team’s competitive circumstances.””

» Worth Noting. “Chambliss argues the NCAA is “in violation of its own bylaws and policies” by denying him a fourth season. He maintains “medical and physical incapacity prevented” him from training and developing athletically in 2021 and “debilitating medical conditions worsened and likewise prevented” him from competing in 2022. Chambliss points out that as a student-athlete, he has “no voice or even a right to directly petition the NCAA for relief.””

» Be Smart. “To obtain an injunction, Chambliss must convince a judge that he would suffer irreparable harm if he’s denied a chance to play at Ole Miss. In law, irreparable harm is a harm that is difficult or impossible to quantify and thus money damages can’t fix it.”

4. Hohney Breaks 500 Record

Rowan senior Dallas Hohney set a Division III indoor track and field record in the 500 meters, covering the distance in 1:02.33 at the Gotham Cup on Friday. Hohney, who has also spent time at Campbell and Rider, told The Whit that he felt his best towards the backstretch.

“Honestly, the ending,” Hohney said. “I think my finish is like my strong suit. I can have a better start, but the end of the race is where I trust my training, I trust my strength and just finish out.”

5. Lightning Round

» Football. Three DIII players with eligibility have transferred to DI programs - UW-La Crosse punter Ethan Tranel and Simpson punter Tanner Philpott. Tranel is headed to main campus in Madison, while Philpott is also staying in-state, going to Iowa. Hope College DL Liam Danitz will play a fifth season at Wisconsin.

6. Comings and Goings

HOWARD PAYNE - Named Morgan Lucas head golf coach
KNOX - Announced addition of women’s flag football beginning as a club sport next year and transitioning to varsity in 2027-28
SAINT BENEDICT and SAINT JOHN’S - Named Nate Augspurger director of rugby

7. Latest Wedding Trend: Smaller Entourages

Why it matters: More couples are cutting back on bridesmaids and groomsmen — a move wedding pros say can save everyone money, time and stress.

State of play: The average wedding party has shrunk to eight people (four per side), down from 10 in 2019, according to research from The Knot.”

Thanks for starting the day with us.
Get someone a subscription to D3Playbook for the New Year.

Copyright © 2025, D3Playbook.com All rights reserved

Reply

or to participate

Keep Reading

No posts found