My guests today hold two crucial roles in the modernization of DIII athletics. Gerard Rooney is the President at St. John Fisher University in New York. Chuck Mitrano is the Commissioner of the Empire 8 Conference and the Chair of the NCAA DIII Championships Committee.

Our topic? How DIII leaders are centering the athlete experience around well-rounded mind and body wellness and defining the collective good for all of Division III. The Empire 8 has one of the strongest presidentially driven governance structures in the nation, and has created a culture of accountability and support. The council actively monitors members for “viability”, using metrics developed in house. This proactive approach allows for an early read on what the needs are for the membership.

If you’ve wondered whether it matters if you have a proactive group of presidents to stabilize a conference, as well as the significance of an engaged commissioner, this is a wealth of good information for new presidents and trustees.