The national office of the NCAA in Indianapolis. The NCAA’s decision on whether St. Thomas can move to Division I has been postponed until at least June. (AP Photo)
A decision on whether St. Thomas can move from Division III to Division I is being postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and not expected before June at the earliest, an NCAA official confirmed Friday.
Traditionally, NCAA rules do not allow Division III schools to reclassify directly to Division I. A move to Division I would require an NCAA waiver, which was originally to be decided in April. The committee was scheduled to meet April 23-24.
“I can’t confirm a date for that discussion at this time, as some governance discussions/decisions have been postponed due to the ongoing pandemic,” NCCA Associate Director of Communications Meghan Durham said in an email. “A decision is not expected prior to June at the earliest.”
Vice President and Director of Athletics Phil Esten responded to the NCAA’s decision.
“We fully understand and support the NCAA’s reasons behind shifting their agenda for their April meeting. Our primary focus right now is making sure our student athletes have the resources they need from a physical and mental health perspective, while completing their spring courses and making academic progress towards their degrees during the unprecedented challenges we’re all facing this semester with COVID-19,” Esten said. “We are continuing to assess the best transition path for St. Thomas into Division-I, if the NCAA allows us to make the move. I remain optimistic about our future.”
In March, the NCAA canceled its remaining winter and spring sports championships in response to COVID-19. It also granted an additional season of eligibility for athletes participating in spring sports.
St. Thomas was “involuntarily” removed from the MIAC in May 2019. It announced its intention to move to Division I after the university was invited to join the Division I Summit League in October.
The Summit League schools do not compete for football or hockey championships. St. Thomas is looking to join the Pioneer League or the Missouri Valley Conference for football.
Carly Noble, Emily Haugen and Abby Sliva contributed to this report.
The heck with the NCAA!! They have been dragging their feet on this issue for way too long.
So, let’s petition the W.I.A.C. for admittance or, like we did 100 years ago, start up own D-3 Conference. We could easily get 10 schools to join that are interested in the
Student-Athlete!! Don’t let anyone push us around!! Steve Fritz could be the Commissioner of the new Conference!!