JANUARY 23, 2025 | composed by STEVE ULRICH

News and notes on the largest and best Division in the NCAA. #whyD3
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Headlines
⚾️ When Your Alma Mater Closes Down
🤼‍♂️ Most Dominant Wrestler Standings
🏐 Southern Virginia Tops AVCA Poll
⚡️ Lightning Round

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TOP STORY
1. When Your Alma Mater Closes Down

by Ryan Scott, D3sports.com

“I went to Eastern Nazarene College under rumors of closing. For decades, students were told, “it won’t be there when you graduate.” From what I understand, those were not unfounded rumors; the financial situation has been dire often over the years. I’m not sure that’s unusual for a small liberal arts institution, even before the demographic cliff.

That’s a phrase gaining popularity, but one familiar to higher ed administrators for a while now. Today there are simply fewer college-aged humans in existence than there were, and this will be the case for the foreseeable future. The result is increased competition for students and less chance these small schools will fill their classes and be able to remain open.

Division III has seen 10 of its member schools close since COVID; more are likely on the chopping block. When you operate under the cloud of closing for decades, it’s hard to believe it will ever happen. I’ve talked to so many employees and alums who assumed they’d find a solution at the last minute as they had so many times before.”

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