Jul 30, 1999
After years of underrepresentation in the playoffs, Division III
football finally gets its due with a double expansion. First the
NCAA expanded the 16-team field to 24. Then in May, four more teams
were added to the field.
It means automatic bids for the following conferences: Centennial,
CCIW, Freedom, Heartland, Iowa, Michigan, Middle Atlantic, Midwest,
Minnesota, NEFC, North Coast, Ohio, Old Dominion, Southern and
Wisconsin.
Nine bids are guaranteed to independents and members from the remaining conferences (Pool B) and the final four bids are for runners-up in the 15 conferences above.