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DIII Ratifies New Philosophy Statement

Plus: SAAC and Special Olympics. Morehouse Fastest to 700. Plays of the Weekend

Author

Steve Ulrich
January 15, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 8 minutes

JANUARY 15, 2024 | written by STEVE ULRICH

The news that you need to know about non-scholarship athletics and those that love it.
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» Best News of the Day. "I'm able to give back to a community that I care about so much, and I'm able to work with my sister (a Special Olympics athlete) and other athletes in a unified way." - Jack Langan, incoming DIII SAAC chair

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TOP STORY
1. DIII Ratifies New Philosophy Statement

photo bu C. Morgan Engel

by Justin Whitaker, NCAA

“Division III delegates came together at Saturday's business session as one of the final events of the 2024 NCAA Convention in Phoenix.

"We had a productive Convention as the delegates attended educational sessions, held conference meetings, discussed key campus issues, such as the shortage of athletic trainers and officials, celebrated the division's 50th anniversary and had a productive business session," said Louise McCleary, vice president of Division III.

Four legislative proposals were approved as the division also marked its 50th anniversary and shared updates about the Inclusive Leaders Program, the division's budget, and financial reviews that are underway.”

» Philosophy Statement. “After over a year's worth of discussion, deliberation and review from governance committees and the membership, the new Division III philosophy statement passed.”

» Tennis Participation. “Delegates approved a proposal that decreases from six to four the minimum number of participants in a tennis match to be counted for sports sponsorship purposes.”

» Amendment-to-Amendment Deadline. “A proposal from the Empire 8 and Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference was passed to allow for membership sponsors of original legislative proposals to offer amendments to either expand or restrict the proposal between Sept. 15 and Nov. 1.”

NEWS
2. DII Students Participate in Special Olympics Unified Sports Activity at NCAA Convention

“Division III student-athletes and Special Olympics athletes participated in a Special Olympics Unified Sports activity at the NCAA Convention in Phoenix on Thursday. Special Olympics Unified Sports teams bring together students with and without intellectual disabilities to promote meaningful social inclusion. This year's activity brought Division III and Special Olympics athletes together to participate in various sports and games, including Spikeball, Jenga and cornhole.”

“Hosted annually at the NCAA Convention, the Special Olympics Unified Sports activity is a key component of the long-standing partnership between Division III and Special Olympics. Established in 2011, the partnership aims to enhance the lives of Division III student-athletes and Special Olympics athletes through a mutual learning experience, provide a platform for recognition of Special Olympics athletes and Division III student-athletes within their communities, and raise awareness of Special Olympics programs and services. Thirteen years after the partnership was initiated by Division III SAAC at the 2011 NCAA Convention, its impact continues to grow.”

» Why It Matters. “(Special Olympics) just enriches my athletic experience at the Division III level," Jack Langan, baseball student-athlete at Cornell College and the incoming chair of Division III SAAC, added. "I'm able to give back to a community that I care about so much, and I'm able to work with my sister (a Special Olympics athlete) and other athletes in a unified way."

» What They’re Saying. "To be involved with Special Olympics means everything to me," said Adaobi Nebuwa, a women's basketball student-athlete at Colby and a Division III SAAC representative who attended this year's activity. "I love the community and I love the energy. It's truly a great experience to interact with Special Olympic athletes and my peers."

COACHES
3. Morehouse Fastest to 700

by Dan D’Addona, Holland Sentinel

“As the clock ticked down to zero at DeVos Fieldhouse, the feeling for the Hope College women's basketball team was like it is on a regular basis - a winning feeling.

It happens so regularly that some of the quiet wins become milestone wins.

Saturday's win over Alma College was not quiet, nor regular as it was the 700th career win for Hope coach Brian Morehouse and Hope needed double overtime to get it - 79-77.”

» Court Awareness. “Morehouse is the fastest to 700 in NCAA history in all divisions and genders, doing so in 795 games (.880 win percentage) since the 196-97 season. He is 700-95, and sits fourth all-time in Division III victories.”

» What They’re Saying. "Congrats on 700. I am trying to get there and you kicked my butt!" Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo said.

» The Big Picture. "I don't think people understand the challenge this puts on a family. The things that my wife Liz has sacrificed so I could be a college coach are monumental. And our kids sacrificed not going on some vacations or not being at all of their games. It is pretty amazing, but it takes a toll. There is only one person that has been there for every single win - Liz."

NEWS
4. Lightning Round

🗞 News. The three 2023 Division III LGBTQ of the Year recipients are Anna Slominski, a swimming and diving student-athlete at Illinois Institute of Technology; Danielle O'Leary, associate director of athletics at William Peace; and Oberlin College.

🗞 News. Springfield College President Mary-Beth Cooper was named Vice Chair of the NCAA Board of Governors at the NCAA Convention. Named to the group in 2022, she currently is the only voting member of the Board of Governors who is a Division III President.

🏀 Basketball (W). Baruch junior Mia Castillo ripped the cords for 50 points as the Bearcats defeated Medgar Evers, 84-50. It was the second 50-point performance of the DIII season, as La Roche’s Machia Hairston poured in 56 against Wells on Jan. 3. Wheaton (Ill.) senior Annie Tate set a DIII women's basketball record, making 28 of 29 free throws in an 80-69 victory against Elmhurst

STREAMING
5. What 2 Watch Today

 
🏀 WBB: Occidental (11-2) vs. Caltech (7-5), 500
🏀 MBB: Saint John’s (11-3) vs. Gustavus Adolphus (8-6), 800

TRANSACTIONS
6. Comings and Goings

HIGHLIGHTS
7. Plays of the Weekend

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