UW-Eau Claire chancellor named chair of NCAA Division III governing body

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Chancellor James Schmidt has been named chair of the NCAA Division III Presidents Council, a panel that establishes and directs policies for student-athletes who do not receive athletic scholarships.

Schmidt was named to the council in 2019. He was vice chair this year before Troy Hammond, president of North Central College in Naperville, Illinois, resigned as chair of the governing body. Schmidt will serve as chair through the NCAA national convention in January 2024.

“It has been my distinct pleasure and honor to serve as a member of the prestigious Presidents Council and I look forward to leading this important work on behalf of our Division III student-athletes who truly compete for the love of the game,” Schmidt says. “While they don’t receive athletic scholarships, Division III participants put their hearts into each and every competition, and the experience helps them become more well-rounded students and citizens.”

A total of 888 UW-Eau Claire student-athletes competed in 25 men’s and women’s sports during the 2021-22 academic year.

Division III has more than 440 schools and 195,000 student-athletes who compete in 28 national championships.