SSND In the News
Mount Mary College Named to NCAA Division III
MILWAUKEE (September 14, 2009) – Mount Mary College has been admitted to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III by the Division’s Management Council. Mount Mary College’s Athletics program, which was founded in the 1920’s, includes teams in basketball, cross-country, tennis, soccer, softball and volleyball. Originally known as the Crusaders, the College’s teams were renamed the Blue Angels in 2002.
According to the NCAA, Division III athletics offers student-athletes the opportunity to become well-rounded individuals who successfully integrate athletics and academics. Division III athletics also feature athletes who receive no financial aid related to their athletic skills and athletic departments that are staffed and funded like any other department in the college.
Janae Magnuson, Director of Athletics and Head Softball Coach at Mount Mary, believes the NCAA Division III membership will enhance the growth of the College’s existing Athletic program. “Student-athletes recognize the NCAA as a brand they want to be a part of,” she stated. “It will be helpful in recruiting more student-athletes and, as we grow and become more competitive, we will see more retention in our program,” she added. There are many programs and grants offered by the NCAA that will also enhance athletics at Mount Mary.
Under retired Athletics Director Deanna D’Abbraccio’s direction, Mount Mary’s Athletics program went through an intensive application process to demonstrate to the NCAA that the College’s program is committed to NCAA’s values, rules and regulations, and mission. As new NCAA Division III members, the College is responsible for completion of compliance forms, meeting participation and competition quotas and an Annual Report summarizing how NCAA standards have been met, as well as steps taken to improve the athletics program.