Tuesday, June 30, 2020
by Western Washington Athletic Communications

BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Western Washington University Director of Athletics Steve Card has been appointed the chair of the NCAA Division II Championships Committee.

Card, who is in his eighth year as WWU’s Director of Athletics and 31st overall associated with Western Athletics, has served on the Division II Championships Committee for the last three years. The 2020-21 year will be the final of his four-year appointment to the Championships Committee.

“I am honored to be selected to lead this prestigious committee,” said Card. “My involvement with this group over the past three years has been some of the most rewarding years of my career. Being part of the committee that has oversight over all 25 Division II championships, and enhancing the student-athlete experience around those championships, is both an honor and a privilege.”

The Championships Committee is the primary oversight group responsible for administering policies and procedures surrounding the 25 NCAA Division II championships. The committee oversees the budget and conduct of these championships, as well as the qualification and selection procedures for each. All Division II sport committees report directly to the Championships Committee.

The committee also:

• Oversees applicable playing regulations in the areas of player safety, financial impact and image of the sport and approve appeals for exceptions to the applicable playing regulation when significant financial impact a may occur;
• Acts for the Division II President's Council and Management Council as the final authority regarding championship matters in Division II that are subject to appeal;
• Is responsible for issues involving college all-star football and basketball contests;
• Selects sports committee representatives, subject to ratification by the Management Council; and
• Administers the Division II Enhancement Fund.

The 12-person committee meets three times a year, previously in person in Indianapolis at the NCAA headquarters, but now virtually. Card takes over the committee chair position that was held by Dr. Sue Willey, the longtime vice president for intercollegiate athletics at the University of Indianapolis.

The Vikings have had great success on the field of competition and in the classroom under Card, continuing the great legacy of Western Athletics. WWU has placed in the top two for the GNAC All-Sports Trophy in each of his years leading the department and placed in the top 45 in the NCAA Division II Directors' Cup standings all but one season. WWU student-athletes are also graduating at unprecedented levels with an NCAA Academic Success Rate showing at 90 percent in each of the last three years.

Prior to being selected as WWU’s sixth director of athletics in 2014 (was interim AD in 2013-14), Card spent his first 23 years at Western as the head coach of the men's golf program and was also the associate director of athletics for business and financial affairs. He previously served on the NCAA Division II West Region Men's Basketball Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) and spent two years (2011-12) as the national chair for NCAA Division II Men's Golf.