News Release

Johns Hopkins University today released the following reaction to the vote of the NCAA Division III Presidents Council declining to withdraw a proposal that would prohibit the university from continuing to offer athletic grants-in-aid to athletes in its historically important Division I lacrosse programs while operating the rest of its sports teams in Division III.

The eight colleges and universities affected by Proposal 2-69 are disappointed that the NCAA Division III Presidents Council did not agree to withdraw it. We had very much hoped to remove a potentially divisive issue from the agenda of January s NCAA Convention. That, we believe, would have opened the way for focused discussion on the remainder of the proposed Division III reform package, the principles of which our institutions support

We very much want to remain members of Division III. But we believe it is important for the Division III membership to continue its long-standing recognition of the very special circumstances affecting one or two traditionally national-class sports programs at our schools, including the lacrosse programs at Johns Hopkins.

Our eight college and universities remain united in the firm belief that enactment of Proposal 2-69 would do considerable harm to our schools. Worse, it would do so without measurably advancing the cause of Division III.

The presidents, chancellors and athletics directors of the eight institutions intend to spend the time before the NCAA convention in January continuing to raise awareness on this issue among the 424 schools in the division. We are extremely grateful to the many schools and conferences who already have assured us of their support. We believe that, as we speak with more and more Division III members and acquaint them with the facts, we will form a majority that will defeat Proposal 2-69 on the floor of the NCAA Convention.

Note to reporters: A frequently asked questions package on Proposal 2-69 is available www.jhu.edu/news/univ03/oct03/ncaa_faq.html.