"Division III, to me, means a great balance of sports and academics. You get everything you could want from an athletic perspective, but also an outstanding education and degree. It means learning unbelievable life lessons, time management skills, and anything in between to prepare you for what's to come.
My athletic experience greatly influenced my decision to work at a DIII university. I thoroughly enjoyed my DIII experience and had exceptional coaches and mentors. Learning from them made me want to get into coaching, specifically at this level, because of the positive impact they had on me."
Men's Basketball Assistant Coach Max Greenamoyer (Hanover College)
"Division III means dedication, passion, and choice. There is no outside factors to competing at a Division III, it is all for the love of the game. Student-athletes make the choice to continue playing their sport, while obtaining a high level degree. That takes a level of dedication and passion for your sport and it is amazing to be a part of their journeys.
Playing at a D3 University allowed me to not only continue playing the sport I loved, but also obtain my athletic training degree at the same time. That was not a possibility at other divisions. I would have had to choose between sport and career. Because of this unique experience, it made me more passionate to help other young student-athletes achieve their career goals while also continuing in their sport and I knew that working at a D3 University would allow me to make that happen."
Head Athletic Trainer Melissa Charron (George Fox University)
"To me, Division III represents the pure essence of college sports. When I was going through my own recruitment, I wanted to play somewhere I was genuinely wanted, and I wanted a great education without having to sacrifice my love for the game. D3 offered that perfect intersection.
My time as a D3 athlete showed me firsthand that you can build a culture that develops great people and pursues excellence on the field and in the classroom; you don't have to compromise."
Head Football Coach Brant McAdams (Trinity University)
"To me, Division III means passion. It’s competing purely for the love of the game, not for financial compensation. It’s about showing up every day because you care about your team, your sport, and something bigger than yourself. D3 also represents resilience, and for me, that meant giving everything I had on the court because PLU meant so much to me, and I wanted to represent it the right way.
My favorite part is watching the players grow, not just as athletes, but as leaders, strong women, and great people over time. Experiencing that growth myself in this program, and now getting to see current players make those same strides, is incredibly rewarding and fulfilling."
Assistant Volleyball Coach Halle Hetzler (PLU alum)
"Division III means that academic excellence does not need to be compromised because of athletic excellence and vice versa - there is merit to both and they can and do, co-exist and your participation in athletics compliments your academic experience.
My experience as a D3 athlete offered me the perfect balance of academics as well as athletics and supported me as a complete person. It is because of my experience that the holistic approach that d3 offers resonates with me and is important that my athletes feel they are valued as humans first."
Head Lacrosse Coach Melanie Rizzotti (Whittier College)
"Division III is high level sports for athletes who have been overlooked and want to receive a great education.
My favorite part is developing athletes that eventually go out and compete against Division I opponents. It shows that the gap truly isn't as large as it's made out to be."
Assistant Baseball Coach Landon Packard (PLU Alum)
"Division III athletics means that student athletes are able, and encouraged, to explore all facets of the college/university experience. I think that the participating in Division III athletics teaches a student athlete a lot about who they are during a really formative time in their life, and reveals traits and skills that are transferable to the academic, work, social and personal parts of their life.
My experience at a D-III university taught me that it is the person who makes the athlete, not the athlete that makes the person. I wanted to work at an institution where relationships with student athletes are paramount. I am glad that I have found that at PLU."
Head Cross Country Coach Francis Reynolds (University of Puget Sound)