Behind the Whistle: Division III Rocks

This story initially appeared on Behind the Whistle, the official blog of the IWLCA, and is being republished with permission from the organization.

In celebration of NCAA Division III Week, we reached out to some of our member coaches who played or coach (in some cases, both) at Division III institutions and asked them to share something about their experience.

As part of the Division III Identity Initiative in 2010, the NCAA created events to sharpen the division’s identity and to enable schools and conferences to more effectively explain why they prefer to compete in Division III. The week of April 10-16, 2023, allows members to observe and celebrate the impact of athletics and of student-athletes on the campus and surrounding community.

As a high schooler, I don't remember consciously choosing to play Division III, but I did know I prioritized my academics. I can't imagine my college experience any other way! Following graduation, my first coaching stop landed me in Division II, and I knew almost immediately my calling was back in DIII. To coach student-athletes who play purely for their love of the game, to work with peer coaches whose values line up with our teams,' and to spend every day knowing that the work I'm doing is surely reaching beyond the realm of athletics – nothing compares. I'm a DIII “lifer,” for sure. – Clara Bissell, Wesleyan University

As a former Division III women's lacrosse player, I cannot speak highly enough about the opportunities provided and the experience gained in DIII. I was so blessed to be a member of the Rowan University Women's Lacrosse team and compete at a high level while getting a great degree. That set me up to continue my education and receive a master’s degree and break into college coaching. I am now at my first stop as a Head Coach at a Division III institution where I can share my passion for the game and overall experience. The DIII experience allows my young female student-athletes to flourish in so many parts of their lives ... It is truly special! – Mikala Gillespie, Eastern University

What I love about coaching Division III is the growth of my student-athletes over their four years here. My players may not start at Lycoming with their skills at the best they can be, but they have a strong love for the game and a drive to always get better together. By the time my players graduate, they have grown as lacrosse players and have become students of the game. They leave better than when they arrived, both on the field and off. – Sarah Quigley, Lycoming College

I love coaching Division III student-athletes because of their drive to improve as students, leaders, people, and athletes on and off the field. They show up every day for the joy of the game while pursuing so much off the field. Our student-athletes walk onto the field ready to be where their feet are, work hard, and have fun! – Anne Versprille, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I’ve loved both my Division III playing and coaching experience. Being a DIII student-athlete gave me the ability to pursue my interests in the classroom and in the community, while also giving me the opportunity to compete daily at the highest level. The life-lessons of hard work, discipline, time management, and integrity that I’ve learned as a player, and continue to learn as a coach, push me every day. Within DIII, there is a shared pride of balancing all that we do as student-athletes and coaches. We help serve our community, our peers, our classrooms, and our administrations all while playing and coaching the sport we love. – Hedy Veith, Tufts University

I had an incredible experience playing in Division III at Drew University. As a two-sport athlete in soccer and lacrosse, I had the best time because I was always in season and competing for a championship. I was extremely fortunate to compete in the NCAA tournament in both sports, which is something that I’ll never forget. I had a great relationship with both of my head coaches which eventually led me to a career in college coaching. They pushed me to become the best player, teammate, and leader that I could be, and am grateful for the impact they had on my life. Even as a DIII athlete, the athletics piece was extremely important to me but the environment and smaller community at Drew allowed me to find success in the classroom as well. – Katie Woods, University of Connecticut

Happy DIII week! The opportunity to coach at a Division III institution is incredibly rewarding. Our student-athletes have amazing opportunities both academically and athletically. Our athletes can experience a semester abroad, participate in research throughout their time at Smith, and are able to participate in both paid and unpaid internships that set them up for their future. Athletically, we can provide an experience that pushes them to become stronger lacrosse players but also allows them to excel in other areas of their lives. – Katie Moore, Smith College

Coaching at the Division III level is so rewarding because of the endless opportunities and lack of restrictions that players have to learn and grow on the field, in the classroom and beyond. Whether it's going abroad, volunteering in the local community, early morning practices or afternoon labs, students are pushed to develop important skills that create confidence and competence to tackle the life challenges that lie ahead. And perhaps the best part is watching them create and foster lifelong friendships with teammates and coaches. As a DIII athlete myself, I loved the opportunity to play multiple sports and learn from so many strong women coaches. For me, Division III is about balance. It's about keeping things in perspective while always training with the intention to be the very best version of ourselves. – Kate Livesay, Middlebury College

I played at Springfield College, which was Division II for my first three years and then transitioned to Division III my senior year in 1996. I was a two-sport athlete so I had to work on balance in the classroom and on the field/pool. Managing that has carried with me through life to help cope and navigate through challenging times. I have been coaching at Western New England University for the past 24 years and have seen tremendous growth in women's lacrosse at the Division III level and at WNE. It has been truly special to me to have worked with the lacrosse program at WNE from its inception and have seen how lacrosse has evolved and succeeded at WNE, not just as a women's team, but as a sport that has given so many young girls such a great opportunity to play. My student-athletes put so much time in on the field, classroom, local community, and campus community. DIII gives student-athletes the ability to

become involved in so much more than their sport which helps them with their success in their field of study after they graduate. – Aimee Klepacki, Western New England University

In my opinion Division III student-athletes have the best time management skills I have ever seen. At the University I am at we have a lot of nursing student-athletes, and they have to do clinicals, labs, their regular classes, and any clubs they joined. Then you throw sports into that – most of them here are dual-sport athletes as well – and some maintain jobs along with everything else. And if you ask them why they choose to compete at this level, it’s because they love the game they play, but they wanted to also be a student. – Kari-lei Berry, Notre Dame of Maryland University

Coaching at the Division III level has awakened me to the value of camaraderie and what it means to show up for your teammates and to validate the peer-to-peer accountability. The daily grind is one in the same for every team, but to find the simple joys in competition, the hours spent with teammates, the escape from their books to enjoy the sunshine, all without a monetary incentive; speaks loudly to these student-athletes. A Division III athlete desires to build on their efforts from the day before, take on new challenges and push themselves into uncomfortable situations. There is a quiet humility in coaching DIII athletes, trusting the progression of the process over perfection, having a deeper sense of who they are, what they stand for and how they want to move forward is what fuels them day in and day out. – Ashley Johnson, Colorado College

I truly enjoy being a part of the Division III athlete experience because they are constantly striving to be the best in ALL that they do. I am always in awe of the rigorous academic load they carry as they study to be lawyers, consultants, doctors, etc., while also training to be the best on the lacrosse field and make their team as successful as it can be, and even then, still helping to grow the community around them. They set high standards for themselves, and I am fortunate to be a part of the process, as someone who can push them when they need it or help them back up when they get knocked down. – Kelsey Howard, Colby College

I believe a great thing about Division III athletics is the opportunity to explore and take on many different learning avenues while also playing and competing at a very high level. My team tends to fill their schedules up with classes, research projects, internships, jobs, and more, and they still excel on the field to compete at the highest level and DIII allows them to do this. – Nicky Clauter, York College (PA)

Division III Athletics is the best kept secret – the ability to compete at a high level, gain an excellent education, and not have to miss out on opportunities like studying abroad or being involved in other facets of campus life. The players we get to coach at the DIII level are self-motivated, inquisitive, and have an innate ability to embrace the challenges of a rigorous course load and a competitive athletic schedule. They are part of our programs because they love the game, they love their teammates, and they love the competitive environment they get to be part of everyday. – Charlotte Cunningham, Gettysburg College

I love coaching at the Division III level because of my players, alumnae, and their families. I love the fact that I have many players who participate in more than one sport in college. I think that is truly unique. I feel the athletic experience in DIII should enhance your undergraduate experience and I strive for that every day. I am very blessed to be not only the head coach, but I am also the coach who started the program, so Cabrini Lacrosse has a very special place in my heart. I feel very fortunate and grateful to be a coach, I know it is truly a privilege. – Jackie Neary, Cabrini University

What I love about Division III is the ability for student-athletes to have a well-balanced collegiate experience that includes academics, athletics, and other extracurricular activities. I also find we can get the kind of student-athlete that isn’t ready to give up another sport, and at the DIII level they can also be a dual sport athlete – while excelling at both! – Lindsey Grundfast, Muskingum University

Division III student-athletes are blessed with the ability to succeed on the field, in the classroom, and throughout the community. They can be fully committed and pursue various academic, athletic, and extracurricular interests, allowing them to gain experience and opportunities, setting themselves up to be exceptional individuals after graduating. – Garlyn Henderson, McDaniel College

What does it mean to coach Division III? For me, it means having 30 more "kids" who I love and care about as if they're my own! It means that athletes will sometimes miss practices or be late due to labs, classes, or other commitments. DIII means that some of them are "uber committed" and lacrosse comes second only to their studies. DIII means for others some will play a second sport, travel abroad in the fall, major in neuroscience or art... and be a part of multiple clubs, organizations, and activities across campus. DIII means they can continue to play the sport they love, while still having the complete college experience. – Kim Russell, Oberlin College

I've played and coached exclusively at the Division III level, and I firmly believe that DIII provides an excellent environment for student-athletes to thrive. Playing two sports in college and developing meaningful relationships with my coaches, professors, and staff members prepared me to be an impactful leader and coach who values all that my student-athletes are involved in outside of lacrosse. I love coaching student-athletes who are passionate about lacrosse, and who can compete at a high level without sacrificing their academics or social life. – Kate Fowler, Washington College