SLIAC Prepares For Division III Week
Beginning on Monday, April 3 the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) and its ten member institutions will proudly join in celebrating the annual NCAA Division III week. This marks the sixth year that the NCAA will celebrate student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and all individuals associated with an NCAA Division III institution or conference. Division III week will run from April 3-10 and will include various events on campuses across the country.
Within the SLIAC several schools have already made plans to join in the celebration. Webster University will hold events every day next week, starting with free massages and pizza for student-athletes while watching the national championship basketball game. On Tuesday Webster will hold a Mental Health Awareness day, with SAAC/FCA members passing out free journals to promote a healthy way to release emotions and handle stress. Each journal will also include a notecard explaining the positive benefits of journaling and information for Webster's Counseling and Life Development center. There will be a bags tournament and inflatable course set up on the Webster campus on Thursday and on Friday the school will host a pool party with free Chick-Fil-A. Webster will also be raffling off St. Louis Cardinals tickets and doing a week long donation collection for Project Sweet Smile, a non-profit started by Webster women's tennis player Jesse Steffens-Willis, that provides women with basic needs such as hygiene products, bus passes, gift cards, and more.
Fontbonne University will get the week started with a lunch BBQ on Monday, followed by a Coaches vs. Student-Athletes volleyball and basketball games. On Tuesday, Fontbonne will be sending out messages from student-athletes on why they like Division III. Thursday's events will include representing Fontbonne athletics by wearing Griffin gear and giving away free sunglasses. On Friday, the school will hold a day of community service; with all classes canceled and getting Fontbonne students out in the community.
Westminser College will hold an all-athlete karaoke contest on Monday and an all-athlete picture on Thursday. In between they will help to clean up the Stinson Creek Trail on Wednesday. Also on Friday, Westminster will hold their Chi Alpha Sigma Athletic Academic Honorary Induction Ceremoney and visit a local animal shelter. The week concludes with a powderpuff football game on Sunday.
Iowa Wesleyan University will be honoring student-athletes with displays throughout the campus. Displays will highlight the student-athletes academic success and accomplishments with a quote from their professors regarding their academic work. In addition, the Iowa Wesleyan SAAC group will host their annual Special Olympics Spring Games event on April 8. They will also have their student-athlete day on April 11, which will include a cookout and lawn games for those attending.
MacMurray College will spotlight various student-athletes all week, including video clips shared via social media. MacMurray will also visit PAWS, a local non-profit organization benefiting animals, and hold a bubble soccer tournament.
Principia College will recognize their student-athletes and be making a video that honors those involved with the school. Principia will also be giving out cupcakes at their baseball and softball home games during the week.
Spalding will be collecting various items during the week; holding a canned food drive, shoe drive, and clothing drive during the week. In addition, on April 7, student-athletes will visit the local Boys and Girls Haven.
During April 3-9, schools are encouraged to conduct an outreach activity that falls into one of three categories: academic accomplishment; athletic experience; or leadership/community service/campus involvement. Division III Week is an opportunity for all individuals associated with a Division III institution or conference to recognize the powerful impact of athletics and student-athletes on the campus and surrounding community.