Division III, for the most part, does not have any of the pretensions of professionalism that ruin Division I. That’s not to say the people who run Wash. U. sports aren’t professional—everyone employed by the athletic department is incredibly good at their job—but there is so much less money at stake that so many of the things that ruin college sports in general are more or less gone at the Division III level.

Attending a collegiate athletic event, then, is as much about community and a sense of belonging as it is about cheering for first downs. That’s uniquely true at Washington University, where by nature of size, we share a far more intimate setting than that of a 100,000-seat stadium.

After successful finishes across several sports this academic year, including two national championships, Washington University is in position to win one of the most coveted awards in Division III athletics: the Learfield Directors’ Cup.

Although senior third baseman Adrienne White is currently a major cog in the Washington University softball team’s offensive attack, four years ago she had to pester head coach Leticia Pineda-Boutte just to get on the roster.

While the Washington University football team’s season may have ended, senior defensive lineman Nelson Nwumeh had the opportunity to extend his collegiate career on Sunday afternoon at Florida International University.

It can seem difficult to be enthusiastic about Wash. U. sports. The average Stereotypes concert probably draws eight times as many people as the average football game. Because I grew up in the Deep South, a land dominated by college football, this was a big adjustment for me coming to college. If you ask a typical Wash. U.

Senior men’s basketball guard Dylan Richter won conference player of the year, led his team to the NCAA tournament, suited up for a postseason All-Star game and earned All-America honors. What’s the logical next step for a decorated college player whose four years on campus are coming to a close? The NBA, of course.

While the Washington University women’s volleyball team has been a fixture in the NCAA Division III Volleyball Championship for years, this year marks the first time since 1992 that the final rounds of the playoffs will be held at the Wash. U. Field House.
As part of the NCAA Championship City pilot program, created to help cities provide a more enjoyable championship experience for both student-athletes and fans, Wash. U. will partner with neighbor Fontbonne University and the St. Louis Sports Commission to host the finals this year, as well as in 2011.

After another weekend of University Athletic Association (UAA) play, the Washington University men’s soccer team remains in the same position in conference standings they entered with—one point behind conference leader New York University, tied for second place with Emory University.

“Divide and conquer” was the strategy for the Washington University track and field team this weekend. While several distance runners competed at the Augustana Meet of Champions, the rest of the team was at the Wheaton College Twilight Meet. The men’s squad’s distance runners chose the Augustana meet to face a more competitive field. The strategy paid off as junior Dave Spandorfer took second in the 10,000 meters in 30:19.