NEW LONDON, N.H. – Introduced in 2010 as a part of the Division III's Identity Initiative, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) celebrated their twelfth annual Division III week during the week of April 4^th-10^th.
 
So, what is Division III week? According to the NCAA, "Division III Week is a positive opportunity for all individuals associated with Division III to observe and celebrate the impact of athletics and of student-athletes on the campus and surrounding community". The NCAA does a great job at encouraging every Division III school and conference office to partake in some type of activity regarding academic accomplishments, athletic experience: and/or leadership/community service/campus involvement. 
 
Part of the Division III Identity Initiative included strategic-positioning platforms to describe the division as a place where student-athletes can "follow their passions and develop their potential" while engaging in "rigorous academics, competitive sports and an opportunity to pursue other interests".  
 
Here at Colby-Sawyer College, we as a department strive off our student-athletes' successes, whether on the field/court or in the classroom. The very idea of playing a sport while being a nursing major is something the Division III level has made possible, especially for Colby-Sawyer student-athletes. Junior captain of the women's soccer team, Thea Alberti said "I decided to go to a division III school so that I could pursue my education in Nursing and also play soccer at a competitive level". She continued with "Playing division III soccer at Colby-Sawyer College is where I have met lifelong friends and is a second home to me now."
 
Aside from the opportunity to balance both academics and competition, Division III allows student-athletes to pursue different interest that also benefit their futures. When graduate student and captain of the field hockey team, Julia Lanctot was asked why she chose Division III, she said, "it allowed me to have a strong balance between academic, athletics, and a social life, as it allowed me to live my dream of studying abroad in Florence, Italy". 
 
Division III has opened so many doors for student-athletes to really enjoy their college experience as well as compete in a competitive playing field. 
 
Click here for more information on NCAA's 2022 Division III Week.