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NCAA Division III athletics is a highly underappreciated driver of student and workforce success, preparing graduates to lead, contribute, and adapt.
At a time when higher education is increasingly judged by its ability to produce graduates who are ready to lead, contribute, and adapt, NCAA Division III athletics remains one of the most underappreciated drivers of student and workforce success.
While national attention often centers on big Division I programs, Division III offers a model that is not only different—but, in many ways, better aligned with today’s workforce needs. It prioritizes the development of the whole person. Academics, athletics, community engagement, and leadership are not competing priorities, but fully integrated experiences.
I believe that deeply—not only as an athletics administrator, but as someone who lived it.
I was a scrawny kid from Rittman, Ohio, chasing the same dream as countless young athletes: the opportunity to play college sports at the highest level possible. When I arrived on campus, I quickly learned that talent alone wasn’t enough. I spent my first year on junior varsity and was told—by a coach who helped shape my life—that I would need to work harder if I wanted the opportunity to contribute at a championship level.
That experience taught me one of the most important lessons of my life: success is earned—not given—and built through discipline, persistence, and grit. In a Division III environment, grit isn’t something you either have or don’t—it’s developed through early mornings, setbacks, and the daily decision to keep showing up.
At Baldwin Wallace, that philosophy aligns directly with President Lee Fisher’s vision of developing students who are Leader-Ready, Team-Ready, Career-Ready, and Future-Ready.
Our student-athletes don’t just compete. They balance rigorous academic schedules, internships, and service opportunities while representing the university at a high, competitive level. In doing so, they navigate real challenges in real time, learning to lead, adapt, and perform under pressure.
They learn to:
• Communicate clearly
• Work effectively as part of a team
• Stay disciplined through adversity
• Lead with accountability
These are not just the traits of an athlete—they are exactly what employers are looking for in their workforce.
Baldwin Wallace and its varsity teams are not just a university. They are a talent pipeline for Northeast Ohio. Many athletes stay in Northeast Ohio after graduation, becoming teachers, business leaders, healthcare professionals, and community contributors.
In this model, athletics is not separate from the academic mission—it advances it.
Equally important, Division III participation — without athletic scholarships — is driven by commitment, discipline, and growth. Our student-athletes graduate at high rates and enter leadership roles across industries. And they graduate prepared not just for their first job, but for a lifetime of impact.
At Baldwin Wallace, our focus is on more than wins and losses. It is on building a culture where athletics advances the educational mission and prepares individuals to lead meaningful lives and contribute to the workforce. We may not always dominate the headlines, but what happens here matters—to our student-athletes, our communities, our businesses, and to our futures.
A version of this column first appeared on cleveland.com and in The Sun News.
