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Background
The Division 3 classification was created in August 1973 by the NCAA membership in a special convention. Prior to that time there were two NCAA classifications (University and College) but no championship tournament in either. With the new system divisions 2 and 3 immediately began sponsoring tournaments.
All rounds are held at campus sites except the championship game, known as the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl, which is held at a neutral site. The tournament started with four teams and eventually expanded to thirty-two teams. Scheduling and the number of schools sponsoring football limit increasing the number of teams involved.
Timeline
| SEASON | EVENT(S) |
|---|---|
| 1973 | Tournament began with four teams. Stagg Bowl played in Phenix City, Alabama. |
| 1975 | Tournament expanded to eight teams. |
| 1983 | Stagg Bowl moved to Kings Mills, Ohio. |
| 1985 | Tournament expanded to sixteen teams. Stagg Bowl returned to Phenix City, Alabama. |
| 1990 | Stagg Bowl moved to Bradenton, Florida. |
| 1993 | Stagg Bowl moved to Salem, Virginia. |
| 1999 | Tournament expanded to twenty-eight teams, with the top team in each of the four regions getting a bye to the second round. First tournament in which conference champions received automatic bids to the tournament. |
| 2005 | Tournament expanded to thirty-two teams, eliminating the byes. |
| 2017 | Final Stagg Bowl in Salem, Virginia after a twenty-five year run. In subsequent seasons the Stagg Bowl moved around the country with no permanent host. |
| 2020 | Tournament canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic. |
| 2021 | Carnegie Mellon withdrew before the first round due to positive COVID-19 tests, North Central received a bye to the second round. |
| 2024 | Tournament expanded to forty teams, with the top twenty-four teams in the tournament getting a bye to the second round. |