CENTER VALLEY, PA (April 11, 2026) -- This week, DeSales University athletics celebrated Division III week, a time for the NCAA to recognize the impact that student athletes have on their school and community. During this entire week, teams and the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) have been celebrating in their own ways, swapping practices, having a chance to pie their coaches, posting videos on why they chose Division III and hosting a mental health play day.
On Wednesday, the field hockey and volleyball teams split their practice times and each of them were able to try the other teams' sports. This was a great opportunity to learn the basics of another sport that competes during their season and interact with other student athletes. Both teams took time to teach other athletes the basics of the sport they love and use some of the skills they just learned to go through drills and play games.
Sophomore field hockey player, Abigail Antipas chose Division IIII because she knew that she wanted to continue playing field hockey and appreciated the academic support and resources she received while studying political science. Junior, Alina Culver chose DeSales because of the strong biology program that she knew would set her up for the future and allow her to play field hockey, where she has made lifelong friends.
On Friday, the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), a group of student athletes who work together to provide insight on the student-athlete experience and share their input on new rules and regulations, held a Pie the Coach fundraiser. This gave coaches and student athletes a chance to have some fun and raise money for their SAAC. Coaches and staff from all across athletics had 15-minute windows where student athletes could come and pie them.
Women's cross country and track athletes, Ellie Kozich (medical studies), Spring Gardner (nursing) and Danielle Boland (biology, pre-PA), chose Division III because it is an outlet that is not stressful, and allows them to balance athletics and athletics. Division III also allows them to continue competing in athletics while still having fun.
On Saturday during all the home events, DeSales hosted their mental health play day. During the day, student athletes, fans and spectators had the chance to read the why your mind matters wall, where athletes from every sport shared why they support student athlete mental health. They also had a chance to watch a video of athletes across all 18 varsity sports, talk about why they choose Division III.
Cheerleaders, and nursing majors, Kaila Dieter and Kylie Skodacek, choose Division III because they wanted a chance to focus on academics while also focusing on athletics. This focus helps to create a great team morale and community for their sport.
All week on the SAAC and DSUBulldog Instagram accounts, student athletes had a chance to post videos on why they chose Division III, sharing the unique athletic and academic experience they have at DeSales.
Senior, thrower Giovanni Wellington said, "Division III builds more than just athletes, it builds larders, it is about the disciple, the accountability and showing up when nobody is watching. DIII is not just a level, it is a mindset."
Division III is the perfect place for student athletes to follow their passions while also developing their potential. The NCAA recognized DIII week, as a time to celebrate rigorous academics, and competitive athletics.
