BOSTON – The Suffolk Athletics Department will be celebrating NCAA Division III Week April 1-7 through its social media channels over the next seven days.
Division III Week is a positive opportunity for all individuals associated with NCAA DIII to observe and celebrate the impact of athletics of student-athletes on the campus and surrounding community.
Suffolk Athletics will revisit with Rams, catch-up with stand-out student-athletes, who have completed their competition days in blue-and-gold, and have current graduating student-athletes reflect on their careers as Rams over the seven-day span.
Members of Ram Nation, both current student-athletes, alums, and fans, are encouraged to share their stories as well with Suffolk Athletics by using its official hashtag #RamNation and the Division III Week hashtags #D3Weeky and #whyD3.
WHAT IS DIII WEEK?
Division III Week is a positive opportunity for all individuals associated with a Division III institution to observe and celebrate the impact athletics and student-athletes have on campus and in the surrounding community. During the week, every Division III school and conference office is encouraged to conduct an outreach activity that falls into one of three categories: academic accomplishment, athletic experience, or leadership/community service/campus involvement. Division III Week is a strategic initiative that achieves its desired impact from a unity of effort. It harnesses everyone working toward the same goal at the same time to build a greater awareness and understanding of Division III athletics.
WHO IS INVOLVED IN DIII WEEK?
The true essence of Division III athletics is the full integration of our student-athletes into the campus culture. Therefore, in addition to primary participation and organization by the athletics administration and student-athletes, Division III Week could involve the president, faculty, student body, admissions, student affairs and alumni.
HOW DID DIII WEEK COME TO BE?
The event is part of Division III's Identity Initiative, which was introduced in 2010 to sharpen the division's identity and enable schools, conferences, and student-athletes to consistently explain why they prefer to compete in Division III. The initiative is guided by a strategic-positioning platform, describing Division III as a place where student-athletes can "follow your passions and develop your potential," through an approach that combines rigorous academics, competitive athletics, and an opportunity to pursue other interests.
THE THREE Ds
DISCOVER: DIII student-athletes are encouraged to pursue their interests and passions beyond the classroom and field of play … to discover themselves
DEVELOP: DIII institutions provide an environmental that encourages student-athletes to develop into well-rounded adults, small class sizes, the ability to participate in more than on sports, and an emphasis on participating in activities outside of the classroom are all hallmarks of the DIII experience
DEDICATE: DIII institutions expect student-athletes to dedicate themselves to achieving their potential: student-athletes must manage their busy schedules, keep up with class work and face the same challenges as the rest of the student body