Talk to administrators, coaches and student-athletes at Division III institutions, and typically they will say they are part of something unique in intercollegiate athletics.

They sometimes struggle, however, to agree on why Division III is unlike any other brand of college sports, beyond pointing to its most unambiguous attribute – it doesn’t permit athletics scholarships.

Most also boast – and convincingly can demonstrate – that student-athletes on their own campuses are every bit as much students as athletes.

However, as unrelenting membership growth shapes Division III into an alliance of schools with increasingly diverse institutional missions, reasons for sponsoring varsity sports inevitably vary on members’ campuses. Recent discussion of the possibility of splitting into smaller divisions uncovered strong support for sticking together despite pressures arising from those differences, but also revealed a need to more clearly identify the division’s core principles.

Now, the division is looking to its presidents and chancellors to help sharpen its story.

The Division III Presidents Council recently distributed a set of nine “white papers” that are intended not only to help colleagues in presidents’ offices at member schools better understand current issues, but also equip them to lead discussions about how best to cope with continuing membership growth, while ensuring that member schools conduct their programs within agreed-upon philosophical principles.

“The Presidents Council believes,” according to an introductory statement, “that Division III represents more than simply a group of schools organized around the prohibition of athletics aid, but rather a distinct philosophy that emphasizes the educational value of a holistic student experience that is unique in American higher education.”

The papers provide extensive background on each of nine issues, link those issues to the current Division III philosophy statement, and summarize feedback obtained from the membership in a survey last winter and during a series of town hall meetings last spring and summer.

They conclude by offering recommendations for addressing each of the issues, and one of the clear objectives is to further empower presidents and chancellors – many of whom personally participated in this year’s discussions about restructuring – to provide leadership in dealing with long-term challenges.

“One of the most important and significant accomplishments of the past year was the engagement we saw among presidents and chancellors, not only at the Convention but throughout the year,” said Presidents Council Chair John Fry. “We now have a strong core group of presidents who are focused on the future direction and well-being of Division III.”

Widener President James Harris, a Presidents Council member who oversaw compilation of the white papers, expects they will serve three purposes during the coming months.

“First,” he said, “we want to develop and articulate a distinct philosophy statement for Division III that’s clearly understood by all of its members. We’re looking for our ‘elevator speech’ – beyond the prohibition on financial aid, this is what Division III stands for.

“The second reason is that we want to have stronger presidential involvement and leadership in Division III, and we also want to find out what issues should presidents be involved in. … How should presidents participate in the governance of Division III in the future?

“And finally, we want a stronger commitment to the Division III philosophy, along with a stronger brand identity.”

Franklin & Marshall President John Frye is focused on Division III's future. NCAA Photos