Lakeland College

Lakeland celebrates National Student-Athlete Day

Athletics - posted on 4/19/2012

Last week, Lakeland College participated in the first nationwide celebration of NCAA Division III week. Approximately 35 percent of Lakeland students participate in varsity sports, competing for the love of the game. Lakeland was proud to join approximately 450 Division III schools in celebrating the academic and athletic accomplishments of student-athletes, as well as their leadership, community service and campus involvement.

Lakeland will honor and recognize its student-athletes at a special luncheon as part of the college's own National-Student Athlete Day on April 19. Lakeland's student-athletes are among nearly 180,000 students who play varsity sports in the NCAA's largest division. These student-athletes represent the NCAA Division III logo: Discover, develop and dedicate.

As part of the celebration, we talked to six student-athletes about the themes that are central to being a Division III student-athlete: community service, academic accomplishment and athletic experience.

Seniors Allison Davis and Ben Koepsell represent the passion and sportsmanship that defines the athlete in the Division III student-athlete paradigm. They play for the love of the game, strive for excellence in all facets of life and persevere through adversity.

Find out how playing a varsity sport at Lakeland has helped intensify Davis' and Koepsell's passion for the game: http://youtu.be/cNNeA_GboCs

In Division III, the classroom is the primary setting for preparation and proportion. However, senior Andy Cheever and junior Jenny LaLuzerne understand that academics is more than just grades, test scores and majors; it is a comprehensive learning experience that develops successful leaders and professionals.

Find out what being a Division III student-athlete means to LaLuzerne and Cheever: http://youtu.be/l-P55RiQSOI

Citizenship and responsibility are Division III attributes. Seniors Nicole Shavlik and Robby Frias are among many Lakeland student-athletes that give back to local communities. Their service not only adds to the comprehensive learning component of Division III, but also provides a venue for passion and service.

Find out what drives Shavlik and Frias in giving back to the community: http://youtu.be/vLlDSs_T5V4

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