Baseball | 4/9/2025 11:23:38 AM
The Empire 8 joins the the NCAA and other member institutions in celebrating "Division III Week." This year, along with every Division III week, we highlight what makes D3 special. As explained by the NCAA, "Division III athletics provides a well-rounded collegiate experience that involves a balance of rigorous academics, competitive athletics, and the opportunity to pursue the multitude of other co-curricular and extra-curricular opportunities offered on Division III campuses."
Some of our Empire 8 institution have shared quotes from their student-athletes about why they chose D3.
Alfred University
Meghan Neto '25, SAAC President, Softball, Biology - "Being a part of Division III is special to me because I get to continue to play the sport that I love while also getting a great education with small class sizes and I get to work in athletic communications."
SUNY Brockport
Peter McGowen '28, Men's Lacrosse, Business Administration - "Being able to play at the Division III level give me the opportunity to continue to experience the sport I love. The opportunity to play at Brockport. I've created relationships that helped me in my career path, opening experiences that I will always cherish."
Elmira College
Riley Spencer '26, Men's Basketball, Business Administration - "Being a part of D3 this past couple of years has allowed me to grow as a person in regards to my academic career and as well as allowing me to play the sport I love."
SUNY Geneseo
Tara Brochu '25, SAAC President, Softball, Psychology - "To me, being part of D3 means balance. I have the opportunity to play at a high level collegiate sport and maintain a quality education."
Hartwick College
Shelby Swartz '26, SAAC President , Women's Volleyball, Biology/Psychology - "I chose to play Division III because it allowed me to find a good balance between academics and athletics. I'm able to be a part of many different things on campus as well as focusing on getting my degree while also playing the sport that I love at a competitive level."
Houghton University
Sam Lyon '25, Men's Cross Country/Track & Field - "I chose D3 because it allows me to be a part of a team that gives me a sense of community and belonging"
Keuka College
Elianna Wilder '26, SAAC President Women's Soccer, Educational Studies - "I chose to be a D3 athlete so I could remain active on my campus as well as playing my sport"
Nazareth University
Annika Monfort '25, SAAC Vice President, Women's Soccer, Visual Communication Design - "Being a part of D3 athletics has been such an amazing experience for me. It was really great to have that balance between academics, athletics and a social life. Being an athlete always helps keep me in check. D3 athletics has given me my forever family, my best friends and it's given me my best memories. People always say your college years are the best years of their lives, well, Division III has made that come true."
SUNY Poly
Zachary Place '27, SAAC President, Baseball - "Division III is the best of both worlds being a student-athlete. Being able to pursue your career academically, while at the same time going and pursuing your goals athletically as well."
Russell Sage College
Dylan Fox '27, Men's Volleyball/Track & Field, Physical Education - "You can have good athletics but also be able to focus on your schoolwork and your academics. It's not an overwhelming experience where you can only focus on one thing."
St. John Fisher University
Lydia Fraser '28, Women's Volleyball - "I chose D3 athletics so I could play competitive volleyball without the overwhelming demands that come with playing in higher divisions. Being a a Fisher athlete has allowed me to balance success on the court and in the classroom, all while building great relationships with my teammates, coaches, classmates and professors."
Utica University
Taylor Kraft '25, SAAC President, Softball, Nursing - "When I think of 'Why D3' I think of playing for the love of the game and the passion. We're not here for money or scholarships, we're here really because we love the game and being surrounded by an environment of people that loves the game and wants to compete at a higher level."
Follow along with the 2024 Division III Week celebration at the #WhyD3 and #D3Week hashtags, along with the social media pages of the Empire 8 and its member institutions.
ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit
www.empire8.com.
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