The Division III Administrative Committee, acting on behalf of the Division III Management and Presidents Council, approved the recommendation from the Division III Championships Committee to cancel all winter championships. The committee has been closely monitoring and discussing the membership's winter sport participation for several months, and it has been providing updates to the councils.
 
"We are heartbroken for our indoor track and field student-athletes and coaches, who had had their eyes on the NCAA championship meet," said Director of Athletics Daniella Irle. "We plan to move forward with providing some limited competition opportunities so these student-athletes have the opportunity to break school records and prepare themselves for the outdoor season."
 
The decision had already been made that the basketball and swimming and diving teams would not be participating at the conference level and therefore would not be eligible to participate in any Championships. The track and field teams were preparing to participate in limited competition to be eligible to qualify for the Championships.
 
The Championships Committee decision was based on the results of a winter declaration form distributed to members about their intention to compete this season in a capacity that would permit them to meet the minimum contest requirements to be eligible for championship selection by the established selection dates. The declaration form was sent to Division III athletics directors Jan. 19 and completed by 98% of the membership.
 
During its review of the declaration data, the Championships Committee determined participation numbers in all nine winter sports are below the established threshold to provide a national championships experience. The established threshold is 60% for men's and women's basketball, men's and women's swimming and diving, and men's and women's indoor track and field.