D3 NCAA Tournament 2020: Triumph and Resilience in Division III Basketball

How did Division III basketball teams cope with the cancellation of the 2020 NCAA Tournament. What strategies did top-ranked teams employ to maintain their competitive edge. How did coaches and players adapt to the challenges posed by the pandemic.

The Unprecedented Cancellation of the Division III NCAA Tournament

The 2020 Division III NCAA Tournament became a casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving top-ranked teams without a chance to compete for national titles. This unexpected turn of events forced players and coaches to redefine success and find new ways to showcase their talents.

The NCAA’s decision to cancel winter championships in Division III, including men’s and women’s basketball, was announced in early February 2020. This decision was based on low participation numbers among member schools, with women’s basketball at 46.2% and men’s basketball at 48.6% – both below the 60% threshold required for holding a national championship.

Hope College’s Flying Dutch: Undefeated Seasons Amidst Adversity

Hope College’s women’s basketball team, the Flying Dutch, faced the disappointment of tournament cancellation for the second consecutive year. Despite this setback, the team chose to continue playing, extending their winning streak to an impressive 45 games and completing two undefeated seasons.

How did the Flying Dutch maintain their motivation? Coach Brian Morehouse explained that many players viewed practice as the best part of their day, providing an opportunity to be with teammates and engage in the sport they love. This positive attitude helped the team persist through challenging times.

A Memorable Senior Day Celebration

In a touching display of appreciation for his senior players, Coach Morehouse made a bold decision during a game against Kalamazoo College. He started all nine of his seniors, accepting a technical foul for having too many players on the court. This gesture created a special moment for the team, despite the unusual circumstances of the season.

Randolph-Macon Yellow Jackets: Adapting to New Challenges

The Randolph-Macon men’s basketball team, ranked first in Division III, also navigated an undefeated season amidst the pandemic. Coach Josh Merkel and his team faced unique challenges, including practicing with masks and limiting full-speed, 5-on-5 drills to reduce potential virus transmission.

How did the Yellow Jackets maintain their competitive edge? Despite a pause in athletics due to school virus protocols, the team remained focused on competing in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC). Their perseverance paid off as they clinched the ODAC Tournament championship on March 11, 2020.

The Showdown: No. 1 vs. No. 2

In the absence of an official NCAA Tournament, Randolph-Macon sought alternative ways to test their mettle against top competition. This led to a highly anticipated matchup between the No. 1 ranked Yellow Jackets and No. 2 ranked Trine University.

The game, which Randolph-Macon won 69-55, provided a meaningful and relevant experience for both teams. Coach Merkel emphasized that while they weren’t claiming an unofficial national championship, the game offered a valuable opportunity to compete at the highest level of Division III basketball.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Division III Basketball

The pandemic forced Division III basketball programs to adapt quickly to new safety protocols and uncertainties. Schools invested in testing programs, with some, like Hope College, implementing measures comparable to Division I programs.

What were some of the key challenges faced by Division III teams? Coaches had to navigate constantly changing guidelines, manage player safety, and maintain team morale in the face of canceled tournaments and disrupted seasons. Players had to adapt to new practice routines, including wearing masks and participating in limited full-contact drills.

Redefining Success in the Absence of a National Tournament

Without the opportunity to compete for a national title, Division III basketball teams had to find new ways to measure success and stay motivated. For many, this meant focusing on conference championships, maintaining undefeated records, and cherishing every opportunity to play and practice together.

How did coaches keep their teams motivated? Many emphasized the importance of daily improvement, team bonding, and the joy of playing the sport they love. The unusual circumstances also provided opportunities for creative problem-solving and innovative approaches to competition.

The Importance of Flexibility and Adaptability in College Sports

The 2020 season highlighted the need for flexibility and adaptability in college sports. Teams that were able to quickly adjust to new protocols and find alternative ways to compete often fared better in maintaining their competitive edge and team morale.

What lessons can be learned from the Division III basketball experience during the pandemic? The ability to pivot quickly, maintain a positive attitude in the face of disappointment, and find meaning in the journey rather than just the destination proved crucial for teams navigating this unprecedented situation.

The Future of Division III Basketball Post-Pandemic

As the world slowly emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, Division III basketball programs are looking ahead to future seasons. The experiences of the 2020 season may shape how teams approach competition, practice, and team-building in the years to come.

What potential long-term impacts might the pandemic have on Division III basketball? Increased emphasis on health and safety protocols, greater appreciation for every opportunity to compete, and more creative approaches to scheduling and competition could be lasting effects of this unique period in college sports history.

Strengthening Conference Play and Regional Matchups

With the challenges of national travel and large tournaments highlighted by the pandemic, Division III basketball may see an increased focus on conference play and regional matchups. This could lead to stronger local rivalries and more intense conference competitions.

Embracing Technology and Virtual Connections

The pandemic forced many teams to utilize technology for team meetings, film study, and even virtual workouts. These practices may continue to some extent, allowing for more efficient use of time and resources in the future.

Celebrating Resilience: The Spirit of Division III Basketball

The 2020 season, despite its challenges, showcased the resilience and dedication of Division III basketball players and coaches. Teams like Hope College and Randolph-Macon demonstrated that success can be achieved and celebrated even in the absence of traditional markers like national championships.

How did the unique circumstances of the 2020 season highlight the core values of Division III athletics? The emphasis on perseverance, teamwork, and the love of the game shone through as teams continued to compete and improve despite the lack of a national tournament.

Recognition Beyond Championships

While national championships are typically the ultimate goal, the 2020 season forced a reevaluation of what constitutes success in college athletics. Teams found value in undefeated seasons, conference titles, and even the simple joy of playing together during challenging times.

Building Stronger Team Bonds

The shared experience of navigating a pandemic-affected season may have strengthened team bonds in unique ways. Players and coaches who persevered through this period together likely developed a special camaraderie that will last well beyond their college careers.

In conclusion, the 2020 Division III basketball season, while marked by the disappointment of a canceled NCAA Tournament, also showcased the resilience, adaptability, and spirit of college athletes and coaches. Teams like Hope College and Randolph-Macon found ways to achieve greatness and create lasting memories, even in the face of unprecedented challenges. As the world of college sports continues to evolve, the lessons learned during this unique season will undoubtedly shape the future of Division III basketball and beyond.

No NCAA Tournament, yet lots of memories for top D3 teams

On Feb. 3, the women’s basketball team at Hope College in western Michigan beat Trine for its 34th consecutive victory, then found out the bad news. The NCAA had canceled winter championships in Division III, including men’s and women’s basketball.

For a second straight season, the Flying Dutch wouldn’t have a chance to compete for a national title.

“We celebrated the win, but then I had to announce to the team that I had some tough news to share — that the tournament was canceled again,” Hope coach Brian Morehouse said. “That was the most difficult locker room I’ve been in in my 25 years as a head coach.”

For much of college basketball, this March has represented a step toward normalcy. The Division I men’s and women’s tournaments have reached the Final Four, and Division II crowned its champions recently. In Division III, however, the top teams were left without their national tournaments.

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They understood they still had plenty left to play for.

Hope extended its winning streak to a school-record 45 games and finished a second straight undefeated season — a remarkable accomplishment with or without a national title.

Randolph-Macon, the top-ranked men’s team, went unbeaten as well, and after their conference tournament was done, the Yellow Jackets hosted Trine in one final game that pitted No. 1 vs. No. 2 from the D3hoops.com poll. Randolph-Macon won 69-55.

“We’re definitely not claiming an unofficial (national) championship, because I’ve got too much respect for all the coaches and programs and teams that did not even get a chance to play a game,” Randolph-Macon coach Josh Merkel said. “What it is is, we played a meaningful, relevant game, and we played well, and it was just a great experience.”

The Hope women were in the middle of their NCAA Tournament last year when the rest of the postseason was called off because of the pandemic. It was such a jolt that Morehouse remembers the exact moment — March 12, 2020, at 4:21 p.m.

This year’s gut punch came earlier. The NCAA, citing low participation numbers among member schools, announced in early February that Division III winter championships were canceled. The sports impacted were basketball, swimming and diving, indoor track and field, ice hockey and wrestling.

According to figures released then on NCAA.com, participation levels were at 46.2% in women’s basketball and 48.6% in men’s basketball — well below the 60% threshold for holding a national championship.

Morehouse said his team could have opted out of the rest of the season, but chose to play on.

“A lot of girls were saying, ‘Practice is the best two, three hours of my day, because I get to come and be with people that I love and play a sport that I love,’” senior guard Kenedy Schoonveld said. “We couldn’t imagine just, like, being done.”

Hope went on to finish 16-0 and ended up atop the D3hoops. com poll for a second straight season. One of this year’s most noteworthy moments came on senior day against Kalamazoo College. Morehouse honored his seniors by starting all nine of them in that game, accepting a technical foul for having so many players on the court. It didn’t exactly cost the Flying Dutch, who won 101-37.

“We’ve gone through the wringer with COVID these last two years, and so to be able to go out and do that together was something really special and cool for us,” Schoonveld said.

Morehouse credited his school’s president with investing money for testing, which he described as similar to what Michigan State or other Division I programs would have. At Randolph-Macon, players were supposed to wear masks while practicing, with some situations exempt.

“The time they could drop the masks was 5 on 5, any time we went full speed, but we also had to limit the groups and how long we did that, just in case of tracing,” Merkel said.

Merkel said after last year’s NCAA Tournament cancellation, his team was a little more prepared for a similar announcement this season. The Yellow Jackets could still focus on competing in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference.

The more immediate problem was that Randolph-Macon athletics went on pause because of the school’s virus protocols. The Yellow Jackets didn’t have a game from Feb. 3-23.

After returning, Randolph-Macon stayed unbeaten, and the Yellow Jackets won the ODAC Tournament on March 11. Three days later, they had their showdown with Trine.

Randolph-Macon had actually been in talks with Yeshiva about setting up a game, but Randolph-Macon is near Richmond, Virginia, and Yeshiva is in New York, so travel was an issue.

Then Trine coach Brooks Miller reached out with a similar idea — a matchup between No. 1 Randolph-Macon and No. 2 Trine. Miller’s team ultimately made the trip from Indiana to Virginia and played the game, which the Yellow Jackets won.

“This is where they get all the credit,” Merkel said. “I hate even that the polls dropped them to sixth like they did, because they deserve a lot more credit than they get for being fearless, hopping on a bus, making a 10-hour trip to come play a team that is not only good, but good at home as well. “

It wasn’t the same as playing for an actual NCAA title, and sure, that was a little disappointing. Still, the Yellow Jackets can appreciate what they accomplished.

“The hardest thing for me, I know for guys on our team who are hoopers and love competition, is just kind of — it’s been two years now where our season’s ended on a win, and usually it doesn’t end on a win unless you got the big one,” said Buzz Anthony, a guard for Randolph-Macon. “It’s been good trying to band together and find different ways to motivate and love the process.”

Former Titan teaming up with former DIII players to compete in The Basketball Tournament

Former University of Wisconsin Oshkosh men’s basketball All-American Adam Fravert is among 10 members of the We Are D3 team that will compete with 63 other squads for a $1 million prize in the 2021 version of The Basketball Tournament (TBT).

TBT, which began in 2014 in front of 17 fans in Philadelphia, has since hosted over 400 games, partnered with ESPN for global distribution, introduced a new way to end basketball games, paid out over $10 million in prizes and crowned seven champions.

This is the third year in TBT for We Are D3, a team comprised of former NCAA Division III players. Fravert and his We Are D3 teammates open this year’s tournament against Team Challenge ALS on July 16 in Wichita, Kansas. The 6 p.m. game will be televised live on ESPN.

Team Challenge ALS is led by former NBA and University of Washington player Justin Dentmon. The squad is coached by former NBA and UCLA standout Darren Collison.

A Marshfield High School graduate who studied physical education at UW Oshkosh, Fravert played four seasons for the Titans from 2017-20. He is a three-time All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference selection, garnering Co-Player of the Year honors in 2020 and First Team accolades in 2019 since being named to the league’s Honorable Mention Team in 2018. He concluded his 115-game career ranked second in program history with 158 blocks, third with 802 rebounds, fourth with 312 assists and 11th with 1,459 points.

Fravert and the Titans made four consecutive trips to the Division III Championship, beginning with a first-round appearance in 2017. The Titans then reached the national championship game in 2018 before securing the program’s first Division III title in 2019. Fravert was named to the five-member All-Tournament Team.

Since finishing his career with the Titans, Fravert has played basketball in Denmark for Stenhus Basketball College.

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2021 NCAA Division III Collegeville Regional

2021 NCAA Division III Baseball Championship – Collegeville Regional
Friday-Monday, May 28-31

Haugen Field at Becker Park (#11E on Campus Map) | Saint John’s University | Collegeville, Minn.

Directions to Campus
NCAA Release

Tickets (each day of competition)

-$10 for adults

-$5 for students with a valid college ID, seniors (60+) and youth (3-17)

-Free for children 2 years old and under

Game Information

-Live Stats/Live Video (all games)

-Team-by-Team Notes

*THURSDAY’S GAMES ARE POSTPONED DUE TO RAIN*

Day 1 – Friday, May 28 (all times CDT)

Game 1: (#1) No. 19 St. Thomas 8 vs. (#6) Scranton 4 – Box Score 

Game 2: (#2) Texas-Dallas 14 vs. (#5) No. 25 Chapman 9 – Box Score 

Game 3: (#3) York 3 vs. (#4) Pacific 4 – Box Score 

Day 2 – Saturday, May 29

Game 4: (#6) Scranton 4 vs. (#5) No. 25 Chapman 11 – Box Score

Game 5: (#1) No. 19 St. Thomas 8 vs. (#3) York 7 – Box Score

Game 6: (#2) Texas-Dallas 3 vs. (#4) Pacific 4 – Box Score

Tournament Format for Days 3 & 4
If four teams remain after Game 6
Day 3 – Sunday, May 30

Game 7: (#5) No. 25 Chapman 19 vs. (#2) Texas-Dallas 2 – Box Score

Game 8: (#1) No. 19 St. Thomas 1 vs. (#4) Pacific 10 – Box Score

Game 9: (#5) No. 25 Chapman 3 vs. (#1) No. 19 St. Thomas 4 – Box Score

Day 4 – Monday, May 31

Game 10: (#4) Pacific 4 vs. (#1) No. 19 St. Thomas 7 – Box Score

Game 11: (#4) Pacific 9 vs. (#1) No. 19 St. Thomas 13 – Box Score

 

Methodist wins its 12th NCAA D3 National Championship

Methodist University holds the trophy for the 13th time (MU photo)

GREENSBORO, NC (May 18, 2018) – For the 12th time in program history and the second time in four years, the Methodist University men’s golf team is the NCAA Division III National Champion.

The 12 national championships ties Cal State Stanislaus, which is now a Div. II program, for the most in Div. III history. Three of those championships have come since 2010, while no other school has won more than once in that span.

The Monarchs shot a 296 (+7) to finish with a score of 1,159 (294-287-282), which was 11 strokes better than second place Washington & Lee (292-289-292-297–1,170). Texas-Tyler (1,171), Concordia (1,173) and Guilford (1,174), who served as the host, rounded out the top five.

MU has now won the National Championship each of the last two times the event was played at the Grandover Resort in Greensboro, North Carolina. In 2015, the Monarchs erased a five-stroke deficit on the final day and walked away with a three-stroke win. This time, MU trailed by three strokes after the second round and used a third round of 282 (-6) to vault into first place by 10 strokes.

This is the ninth time the Monarchs have won a national championship by 10 strokes or more and this marks the largest margin of victory at the NCAA Championships since 2012 when Oglethorpe won by 20 strokes over second place, Transylvania.

Brian Peccie of Washington & Lee earned medalist honors after a three-hole playoff with Logan Young of Concordia. Peccie and Young both shot a three-under 285 for the tournament before heading to the playoff.

Dan Shepherd shot a one-over 73 to finish the week at a two-under 286 (72-72-69). He finished in a tie for third, just one stroke behind Logan Young of Concordia and Brian Peccie of Washington & Lee who went to a playoff. In the fourth round, Shepherd birdied No. 3 before bogeying two of the last three holes on the front nine and made the turn at one over (37). He birdied No. 11 and No. 12 to go to one-under for the day and parred the next two holes. He dropped a stroke on No. 15 and No. 17 before ending the day with par and shoot even on the back nine.

Larkin Gross finished in a tie for 12th (73-72-71-75–291). He parred the first three holes of the day and dropped a stroke on each of the next two. He put together three more pars and bogeyed No. 9 going out at 39 (+3). Gross sunk seven pars to go with a bogey and a birdie on 18 to finish the back nine at even par (36).

Jared Chinn shot the best round of the day for the Monarchs with a one-under 71 to finish in a tie for 29th (74-80-70-71–295). Chinn was one-under heading into the fifth hole, but a double bogey set him back to one-over. He birdied No. 8 but dropped a stroke on No. 9 to make the turn at 37 (+1). After parring 10, he birdied each of the next three holes to go to two-under. He parred four of the last five holes with one bogey on No. 16 to go in at 34 (-2).

Aaron Purviance, who was part of the 2015 National Championship squad, finished in 34th place (75-70-72-79–296), which was one stroke back from Chinn. He totaled three birdies on the day. Chris Drysdale shot a five-over 77 to finish in a tie for 65th (76-73-78-77–304). He made the turn at one under after picking up two birdies, but shot a six-over (42) on the back nine to finish at +5.

View results for NCAA Division III Championship

ABOUT THE NCAA Division III Championship

72 hole championship of NCAA Division III
men’s college golf teams. Team (best four scores
out of
five players each round) and individual competitions.

View Complete Tournament Information

DIII Men’s Lacrosse Championship Preview

The DIII men’s lacrosse championship game is one of the most thrilling matchups every Memorial Day Weekend, and this year’s title game featuring RIT and Salisbury will be a contest for the ages. That’s not a prediction; it’s a guarantee!

Both teams get a week to prepare for this one, both come in battle tested, and both boast a ton of talent all over the field. The 2021 DIII men’s lacrosse national championship game comes after a cancelled 2020 season, a year of pandemic, and a wild ride all spring, but high expectations are now abound on both sides of the ball.

These two teams are peaking at the right time, and now we get to see who earns the crown. It’s disciplined, skilled, and hard-nosed Maryland structure ball versus Canadian-infused, Upstate magical movement, and if you know what’s good for you, you’re here for ALL OF IT! This might be the most exciting DIII men’s lacrosse championship matchup we’ve seen in years!

DIII Men’s Lacrosse Championship Preview

Meet the Programs

On one side, you have the RIT Tigers representing the North. This is a team with talent and depth at every position, slick stick skills galore, a bunch of future professionals, a nasty amoeba of a defense, and an ability to outscore just about anybody. They took down a high-flying Tufts team last weekend, 18-16, and are looking to keep that offensive deluge going on Sunday.

Head coach Jake Coon has had this program roaring for well over a decade, and for the past couple of seasons, they have been at or neat the top of the northern heap and downright dominant at times. When it comes to strong RIT teams (and there have been many), and the 2021 group matches up to, or exceeds, every team before it, and that is really saying something. The Roch-Vegas faithful are sure that this is the year they finally enter the hall of champions.

The Salisbury Sea Gulls stand in the other corner, and if you know anything at all about DIII men’s lacrosse, that should be enough, because for SU, every darn years is considered to be the year. Now, if you don’t know about the legendary program that is Salisbury, let me fill you in real quick – since 1994, Salisbury has won 12 DIII men’s lacrosse national championships, 22 league titles, and produced hundreds (yes, hundreds) of All-Americans. In fact, I’m pretty that every four-year player at SU since 1991 has won at least one national crown while at Salisbury.

This is DIII Titletown, and head coach Jim Berkman is the Mayor with a capital M. Skill, athleticism, toughness, and individual stars with a team-first attitude dominant these decades of SU excellence. The 2021 team has some of the past star power, and the overall level of talent may be as deep as it ever has been. And that makes SU a very scary opponent, as usual.

DIII Men’s Lacrosse Championship What to Watch For

RIT Offense vs Salisbury Defense

RIT’s biggest strength is its overall offensive production rate and how it’s able to make it happen. While the Tigers can roll out six top-level scorers and playmakers every single settled possession, transition offense is also quite common for the Tigers as their defensive group is equally dangerous on the O end and likes to push the rock.

Nick Montemorano quickly wins a lot of draws forward and can finish or dish with solid consistency, and this adds another dangerous wrinkle. Off the clear or ride, settled O or face offs, RIT can seemingly score at any moment. Dawson Tait, Larson Sundown, and Quinn Commandant are the three big guns on attack, and all three are lethal playmakers, and the ball moves quickly from stick to stick as the players move and exchange. Ryan Barnable and Spencer Bell provide even more playmaking from the midfield, and Marley Angus and Ryan Rosenblum stretch the D with their dodging and shooting prowess. Don’t be surprised is someone outside of those seven has a big day on Sunday as well, maybe even someone with a long stick. The depth of this high-level offensive talent is very real, which makes RIT constantly dangerous.

Salisbury’s defense has a tall task ahead of it, but this group is no joke. While it’s unlikely to completely shut down the RIT offense, its size, speed, communication, and teamwork allows one to think that SU could potentially limit the RIT offense to a “very bad day,” which would mean RIT scores 10 goals or fewer. There is no weak link in the SU defense as Brad Apgar, Jackson Woodward, Matt O’Callaghan, and Kevin Murphy lead this group of poles, and other than freshman John DeFazio, every other defender is either a senior or graduate student.

The Gulls’ defensive system presses, features great support, and when everyone keys on their responsibilities, it’s as good of a man-to-man D as exists anywhere. When all else fails, SU has TJ Ellis in goal. He understands the shots he will see and has been a consistent force. SU’s Brent Malamphy is less of a scoring threat off the draw than Montemorano, but he is he able to keep RIT away from scoring back-to-back quick goals and can give the Gulls a good number of settled additional possessions on offense, it will help the D out immensely. Defending RIT well on 20-25 possessions is a lot easier than defending RIT on 40-45 possessions. RIT wants the latter. SU will benefit greatly from the former.

Given all the experience both teams possess, look for RIT to bring its offensive A-game on Sunday and for the Salisbury D to answer the bell and put up a great fight. An exciting, talented, and deep offense against a powerhouse team-first defensive group? It’s definitely going to be fun! But I’m not sure it’s where the game will be won or lost.

The RIT offense is consistent, the SU defense is consistent – I don’t see any huge swings in either direction as being all that likely, and RIT will keenly remember 2017 when its offense sputtered in the final against Salisbury in a 15-7 loss.

Salisbury Offense vs RIT Defense

The Salisbury offensive players have put up absolutely gaudy numbers this year, with Cross Ferrara and Josh Melton already eclipsing 90 points each. Four more players have at least 40 points, with Jarrett Bromwell putting up a preposterous 79 points out of the midfield. When this group is flying together, the ball is zinging around, and the system is clicking, it can easily break 20 goals in a game and has reached 30 goals in two of its last four contests.

At the same time, this is not a group that is guaranteed to score in droves. It struggled against Lynchburg and Cabrini early on and never truly got going against CNU in early May. In all three of those games, opponents were able to force Salisbury into settling for lower quality shots and limited the Gulls’ ball movement. Salisbury’s three big guns are REALLY big guns, but if a D can focus on them and other players don’t answer the call, the Gulls offense can stagnate at times.

Like the SU offense, the RIT defense can also be a little up and down, giving up 13 goals or more three times this year. Part of that is a high risk, high reward approach where RIT presses and pressures out, uses some solid zone techniques, generates turnovers, and then very often scores goals. But that same pressure can be exposed. So far, it’s all worked out pretty well, but an aggressive style against highly-disciplined Salisbury could be a different story. SU uses its system to feed on chaos, so the RIT press must remain disciplined, at least for the most part, only taking big risks at the most opportune times. Poles Taylor Jensen, Patrick Shoemay, Alex Maruna, and Tyler Sceviour all feel free to take some risks walking they have Walker Hare in net, and the keep also provides a nice spark in transition.

If RIT can impose its defensive will on Salisbury and keep the Gulls below 10 goals, OR if Salisbury is able to use RIT’s pressure against the Tigers effectively and score quick passing goals, we could be looking at a huge swing in any predicted scoreline. So, while the RIT O versus the SU D may be the most heavily-discussed part of this matchup, the other end of the field might be where the game is won or lost.

Special Teams

Face Offs – Salisbury is a more possession-oriented face off team than RIT, but with Malamphy winning 76% of his draws and back up Eoghan Sweeney winning 67%, it has two good options to roll out against Montemorano’s forward push. While Montemorano only wins about 56% of his draws, his ability to go forward and to goal quickly can be a game changer. He did not convert any draws into goals against Tufts but did take three good shots, putting two on cage, which both required excellent saves. In this game, winning the right face off at the right time and scoring a goal could make all the difference.

Man Up/Man Down – Both teams put up a lot of goals on the extra man, and a team that scores on 50% or more of its chances if always worth noting (both teams do this as well). However, Salisbury is almost allergic to getting penalties in title games, at least historically, and the last time these two sides players for a title, RIT committed six infractions to SU’s one, and Salisbury walked away with it. It didn’t make or break the game, but it didn’t help RIT’s cause. SU is a disciplined team, and this is an area where it usually pays dividends. RIT cannot get into penalty trouble, but if it does, Salisbury has to convert.

Riding/Clearing – Both teams have seen pressure rides, high-pace clears, and transition on their road to this game, and both teams do what they do reasonably well. RIT clears proficiently but not perfectly. However, it makes up for this with the goals it scores off of clears. Again, there is some risk and some reward to the team’s approach. Its ride is solid and full of energy, but better teams were usually able to break it. Salisbury clears the ball a little more efficiently but don’t generate the same offensive production from its clear that RIT does. The Tigers will thrive in a chaotic clearing and riding game, but the Sea Gulls will do everything they can to impose order in the middle third of the field. It should make for some exciting plays via contrasting styles.

DIII Men’s Lacrosse Championship Potential X-Factors

The Salisbury Streak – While grad students like Kevin Murphy were part of the team that won a title in 2017, seniors like Cross Ferrara were not, and that would make the Class of 2021 the first class in decades to not a win a DIII men’s lacrosse championship while at SU. I can’t believe that’s even possible, and it speaks to the strength of what Jim Berkman has built, but it also adds a little extra motivation for this year’s seniors (even if they come back as grad students next year). Most of the contributors to this current SU team were around in 2018 when the Gulls lost in the title game, so they’ve been here before, and they know what it feels like to just come close.

The Larson Sundown Experience – Larson Sundown has played in a LOT of championship games. He’s won some, he’s lost some, but he knows his way around a title game experience. Very few of the current RIT players even touched the field in 2017 against Salisbury in RIT’s last showing in the DIII men’s lacrosse championship game, so this team doesn’t have a ton of experience in title games. But Sundown does. Can he help this RIT program to get over the runner-up hump?

Have you ever met a player that’s been to the Minto Cup, the Mann Cup and four NCAA DIII Championships on three different teams! Congrats Akron Lax Alum @Larson_Sundown and @RITMensLax on winning 18-16 and advancing to the 2021 Championships in Connecticut! pic. twitter.com/Y3yEmVkotf

— Akron Tigers Lax (@LaxTigers) May 23, 2021

Final Thoughts

While RIT has never won a DIII men’s lacrosse championship, it has come awfully close a couple of times, and in my humble opinion, this might be the best RIT team ever. This makes the Tigers a very slight favorite to win their first title. They are not the favorites by a large margin, but the overall expectation from so many in DIII lacrosse circles is that 2021 is the year RIT breaks through and takes home the hardware.

However, and this is a BIG however, if there is one DIII team in the country this year that can potentially impose its will on RIT, keep the scoring a little lower, and emerge with a hard-fought W, it’s Salisbury. The fact that SU expects to win it all each years helps with its approach, but because the Gulls haven’t won a title since 2017, this game golds additional significance for the program and the players, especially the seniors.

This is exciting stuff!

It will be nothing but A-game lacrosse on Sunday from both teams. There is pressure on RIT to break through and win it all, but the Tigers embrace it. There is pressure on Salisbury and its seniors to cement their dynastic legacy once again, and they embrace it. Only one of these teams will emerge victorious, while the other will suffer heartbreak. But for the rest of us, it’s simply a great game we get to enjoy, and it absolutely promises to deliver.

Hartford Announces Controversial Move To D3 After 1st NCAA Tournament

CHARLOTTE, NC – MARCH 20: A general view of the court before the game between the Georgia Bulldogs and Michigan State Spartans during the second round of the 2015 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Time Warner Cable Arena on March 20, 2015 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

After more than a year of discussions and deliberation, the University of Hartford’s Board of Regents voted to transition all of their athletic programs from the Division I to Division III level. The majority-yes vote took place on Thursday afternoon.

According to board chair David Gordon, the controversial decision came as an effort to “strengthen the academic, co-curricular, and wellness experience for all students.” But, fans and athletes involved with the programs certainly aren’t too please with the choice.

For the athletes who worked so hard to earn their Division 1 scholarships, this slight to their programs was like a punch to the gut. During a game for the Hartford softball team on Friday, players blacked out their jerseys with duct tape in protest of the decision.

I do not own this photo as it was sent to me, but I think it’s well worth sharing… @HartfordSB for today’s game.

Good for them. #gohawks #weared1 pic.twitter.com/Yvs3r89fhI

— Ryan Kelsey (@RKelseysports) May 7, 2021

While the university says this decision was a long time coming, the timing couldn’t get much worse.

After notching a 15-8 overall record and claiming an America East Conference tournament victory, the Hawks’ men’s basketball team earned its first ever NCAA Tournament bid. While they ultimately fell to the eventual national-champion Baylor Bears in the first round, this was an amazing accomplishment for the program.

Head basketball coach John Gallagher took to Twitter to share his discontent with the decision on Friday.

“I am extremely disappointed in the Board of Regents’ vote yesterday,” Gallagher wrote. “We met as a team (Friday) and we made an untied decision that we are staying together to play next season. We will fight hard to repeat our success and continue to elevate this program to new heights.

“I care deeply about my tremendous student-athletes, my coaching staff, the entire university, and the greater Hartford community. We are thankful for all the low and support from the #neighborhood.”

pic.twitter.com/6djU8RrRKf

— John Gallagher (@CoachGalUHart) May 7, 2021

Though the sting of the decision is immediate for all those closely involved, the change still has a long way to go before it becomes official.

Hartford will file its intent to move to DIII in January of 2022. If the NCAA approves the proposal, the transition would occur no later than Sep. 1, 2025.

Three Johns Hopkins teams earn spots in NCAA DIII tournaments

By
Hub staff report

/

Published

Nov 6, 2017

The Johns Hopkins men’s and women’s soccer teams, both of which won regular-season conference titles this season, received at-large bids to their respective NCAA Division III tournaments today.

Meanwhile, the Hopkins volleyball team, which earned an automatic bid to the DIII tournament by winning its second consecutive conference tournament, learned its postseason destination.

The Johns Hopkins field hockey team was left out of the 24-team DIII field hockey tournament despite posting a 14-5 record and winning the regular-season conference title. Hopkins fell 2-1 to Franklin & Marshall in Sunday’s conference final.

Men’s soccer

The JHU men’s soccer team (14-1-3), ranked No. 24 nationally, will make its first trip to the NCAA tournament since 2010. The Blue Jays earned an at-large berth in the 62-team field and will travel to Rowan University in New Jersey, where they will meet DeSales (12-2-6) in a first-round game on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. The winner advances to face the winner of a first-round matchup between Rowan (17-3-1) and Cabrini (10-9-1).

View complete NCAA DIII men’s soccer bracket

Hopkins entered the Centennial Conference tournament over the weekend with a 7-0-2 record against league opponents on the season but was eliminated by Dickinson in the semifinal round in a penalty kick shootout.

Women’s soccer

JHU’s women’s soccer team also came out on the losing end of a penalty kick shootout over the weekend, falling to Swarthmore on Sunday evening at Homewood Field. Still, the Blue Jays—owners of a 15-2-3 overall record and a No. 10 national rankings—did more than enough to earn a postseason berth.

Hopkins will host a four-team regional this weekend, beginning with a first-round matchup against Staten Island (13-5-1) at 11 a.m. on Saturday. The winner will advance to take on the winner of a game between Connecticut College (12-3-1) and Wilkes (13-3-3) on Sunday.

View complete NCAA DIII women’s soccer bracket

JHU is making its 13th consecutive appearance in the tournament and is hosting a regional for the ninth time in the past 10 years.

Volleyball

The Blue Jays (24-3) will face Kean (29-10) in the first round on Friday at 5:30 p.m. at nearby Stevenson University, with the winner moving on to face the winner of a matchup between the host Mustangs (32-1) and Hunter (27-4).

View complete NCAA DIII volleyball bracket

Hopkins is making its second consecutive and fifth overall appearance in the NCAA tournament. JHU’s only loss in its past 24 matches came at Stevenson on Oct. 19.

90,000 US WATER POLO FEDERATION TO CANCEL FIRST NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP IN DIVISION 3 text: Torrey Hart \ swimswam.com
The first national women’s water polo championship (third division D3) has been officially canceled, although many participating schools have previously closed their sporting events.
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The U.S. Water Polo Federation has officially canceled several upcoming tournaments as the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States increases. After numerous student conferences canceled the remainder of their spring sporting seasons and the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) canceled all remaining winter and spring sporting championships.The US Water Polo Federation has officially canceled the first national division III women’s water polo championship. The roster for the four-team competition was to consist of two teams from the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and the Collegiate Water Polo Association, the only sporting conference to cover the eastern United States. Witter College, a SCIAC member, hosted the men’s event in December, and the SCIAC team could host a women’s event in May.The first male area involved Whittier, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Johns Hopkins. All four of these schools, as well as many others at both conferences, either sent students home or encouraged them to leave campus. According to the feleration, the women’s tournament will take place in May 2021. Following FINA’s guidance that the World Water Polo League will be postponed until fall, the US Water Polo Federation has canceled the 2020 FINA Men’s and Women’s Intercontinental Tournament.The event, which serves as a qualifying round for the FINA World League Super Final, has been scheduled for April 28 – May 3 at the IU Natatorium in Indianapolis. Finally, the federation announced the cancellation of the third week of the 2020 National League, which was scheduled for April 4-5 in Thousand Oaks, California, and the National League / Fischer Cup championship, scheduled for May 16-17 at … – MSU aquatic polo – Water Polo club of the Moscow state University.

COMPANY: “THE ROAD TO RESTORING THE WATER POLO SYSTEM BEGINS WITH A1”

text: Fabrizio Napoli / wpdworld.com
The A1 2021/22 men’s championship starts tomorrow, the number 103 tournament in the history of Italian water polo. After last season’s emergency formula, we are returning to a single group of 14 teams for the regular season, which ends in April, and which, due to the break for the Fukuoka World Cup, will be followed by the playoffs only in June (for the first 6 classified) and the playoffs in A1 (for the 12th and 13th, if there are 9 points or less, otherwise the 13th will be demoted immediately along with the 14th).For head coach Sandro Campagna, interviewed by Waterpolo Development, the A1, which kicks off tomorrow, is different from the events of recent years …
“This is the first post-pandemic championship and I’m worried that things will return to normal,” says coach Settebello. For the last two years we have played in a very critical situation, now I hope everything goes smoothly and we can play the traditional season. This is the wish that I make to myself and to the whole world of water polo. Only by gaining our own pace will we be able to hold on as a system.For years Italy has been the benchmark in Europe in terms of matches, leagues and subscribers, now we are at great risk from the crisis that led to Covid-19. My main concern is that the season will be full, from A1 to the youth championship, and whether everything will go well. ”
The background is disappointing, many clubs are now suffering from the effects of a two-year pandemic, and from an organizational point of view, A1’s clubs have shown problems in the preseason: Roma Nuoto did not appear in Italian Cup games, Waterpolo Milano has no pool for games…
This says a lot about the A1 out of 14 teams: those who cannot meet the requirements for various reasons should have honesty and back off. In particular, Roma did not manage to register new players, but in these cases you need to be prepared and overcome these difficulties so as not to create precedents. Milan have done a lot to get into A1, but last year they already knew that they did not have a pool, and still have not solved this problem. A1 must be played by the one who has the conditions for participation.

You and other insiders have hoped in the past for a reduction in the number of teams in the Major Leagues…

This is the measure to be put on the map now. It is necessary to reduce A1 to 12 teams, or to increase it to 16 and divide it into two groups of 8. At some point, the increase to 14 was correct, because there were clubs that were eager to get into A1: I think about Trieste, stable reality now , or about “Sport Management”, a team that has been around for several years. Now many clubs have reduced their commitments or are in crisis. There is little quality in the middle or low end of the rankings, so you need to adapt.I hope the Federal Council will take note of this and work it out in time: the reform needs to be announced now to increase the number of sorties in 2022/23 and host a 12-team tournament in 2023/24. This season we will have the World Cup in October 2023, the European Championship in January 2024 and then the Olympic qualifiers in March. It’s unthinkable to play A1 with 14 teams.

The crisis at the bottom of the table is also, apparently, associated with a reduction in the number of high-level athletes.In Italy there are no more problems with the production of players, but when they turn 20-25, many children quit water polo …

Pressure from families who want the best for their children and see water polo as an outlet only for themselves the best. For years, even non-national players have survived in water polo. Today the situation is “pushing” for that. that if by the age of 18-20 you do not get into team A, you will eventually leave. This is also happening because water polo no longer provides economic motivation: many years ago, an average player brought home even 30-35 thousand euros a year, and this allowed him to play longer.

Along with the competitiveness of the tournament, it is necessary to make the tournament more accessible to the spectator. Tomorrow, in almost all of Italy, the public will be able to return to the pool, albeit with some restrictions …

It is very important that the pools reopen for sports, we are waiting for the end of the year with the closure of branches to understand the status of companies and participants after two years of a pandemic … When it comes to spectators at matches, we aim to fill 50% indoors and 75% outdoors: clubs must make every effort to fill this 50%, otherwise there is nothing to talk about.We need to bring people back to our sport. In that sense, I can’t wait to bring Settebello back to the pools, a walk in Italy will be essential. We need to attract viewers.

Back to the championship … Scudetto is a question of “Brescia” and “Pro Recco”.

Last year I said that Brescia might have disturbed Recco and eventually she made it to the Scudetto. Now let’s see, Bovo lost important players, but took good replacements: I think we will be able to evaluate the real “Brescia” only in November-December, when the center Constantin Bikari will join the team.On paper, however, the team has weakened while, on the other hand, “Pro Recco” has changed coaches (Sukno to Hernandez, ed.), But has kept its standard and does have more options as a central player: now some of them will play in A1. There are three members (Aikardi, Lonchar, Hallock), while last year there was only Aikardi.

What will be behind the two favorite teams?

Telimar has strengthened and it is a wonderful reality, Baldineti is doing a great job and the club did a good job of leaving Damonte with two very strong players, Irving and BASIC.Savona are the same team as a year ago, plus Rocky, I expect the growth of young people like Patchaliev and Iokki Gratta. Ortigia is the fifth force, on paper it has become lighter, but will be more rhythmic with more minutes for the youth. And they also have an additional center, with Klikovac Piccardo the team can have fun. Trieste is a team that can annoy the top five, just like Quinto who made a great team, Figari’s appearance gave more quality. Let’s see if “Rari Nantes” Salerno also manages to stay away from the battle for salvation: for the third time in A1, usually after the first two arrivals, the enthusiasm drops a little.If he keeps it, he can succeed.

Are the others fighting for salvation?

Milano’s water polo has changed a lot and, as mentioned, has organizational difficulties, Posilipo is hooked in terms of overall quality, but Brancaccio’s pride and skill can make a difference. Lazio and Roma Nuoto are the most difficult teams. Recently promoted players are better equipped: Anzio Waterpolis has enthusiasm, good players like Federico Lapenna and Giorgetti, and above all they have a new training pool, great environment.In Catania, it will not be easy for everyone to score points, A1 is different from A2, but Dato has a group of Catanian players who grew up at home and this is an advantage.

After the Olympics, there was a lot of talk about the future of Settebello: we are talking about three promising players from whom we expect a leap in quality.

I’m curious to see how many 2003 players will play in Serie A1: if besides Francesco Condemi and Giribaldi (Ortigia) or the guys from Savona, there will be a few more 2003 players.I hope that this championship will be the beginning of their journey for them. this will lead them to growth: I’m not just talking about Iocchi Gratta, Ferrero, Mladossich, Occhione, but all the Azzurrini. To bypass those in front of them and enter Setbello, they must have a very strong motivation and they must improve further.

source: https://www.wpdworld.com/news/campagna-campionato-202122/

90,000 Tennis Scholarships in the United States

There are over a thousand universities in the United States with tennis teams that belong to various university associations and divisions …The level of tennis in such a wide range of universities is very different. The required sporting level in each division is shown below:

NCAA Division I:

Larger universities with more sports. Most of the universities in this division have a higher athletic performance than other divisions.

Academic Requirements: SAT and TOEFL exams.

Men’s tennis level: actual level of play * be in the top 100 rankings in the country, in the top 600 ITF juniors, approximate UTR 11 and have experience of participating in ITF and ATP tournaments,

The level of women’s tennis: the actual level of the game * be in the top 100 ratings in the country, have an ITF rating among juniors, an approximate UTR 9, experience of participating in ITF and WTA tournaments.

NCAA Division II:

Smaller universities with high athletic performance, similar in size to NAIA universities.

Academic Requirements: SAT and TOEFL exams.

Men’s tennis level: actual level of play * top 100/150 country rating, experience and some success in national and regional tournaments, approximate UTR 9.

Women’s tennis level: actual level of play * top 150 country rankings, experience and some success in national and regional tournaments, approximate UTR 7.

NCAA Division III:

Universities that do not offer sports scholarships but have other academic scholarships that can significantly reduce costs. NCAA Division III universities are mostly universities with high academic excellence.

Academic requirements: high SAT and TOEFL scores. High academic level.

Men’s tennis level: experience of participating in national and / or regional tournaments.Very high academic level.

Women’s tennis level: experience of participation in national and / or regional tournaments. Very high academic level.

NAIA:

NAIA universities have very similar characteristics to NCAA, Division II universities, but NAIA admission rules are usually much simpler.

Academic Requirements: SAT and TOEFL exams.

Men’s tennis level: actual level of play * experience and some success in national and regional tournaments.

Women’s tennis level: actual level of play * experience and some success in national and regional tournaments.

Junior College or Junior College:

Junior College is a two-year educational institution, after which the student is transferred to a university belonging to any other division. A youth college is a good option for improving academic and athletic level, then transferring to a larger, better university to complete the remaining 2 years of study (after graduation, the student will receive a diploma from the last educational institution).

Academic Requirements: TOEFL Exam.

The level of tennis for men: the level of tennis is very different.

Women’s tennis level: the level of tennis is very different.

Eastern College Sports Conference – ru.wikitechpro.com

A

B Oriental College Sports Conference ( ECAC ) is a college sports conference that includes schools that compete in 15 men’s sports and 13 women). It has 220 member organizations in NCAA Divisions I, II, and III, from Maine to South Carolina and west to Missouri. Most or all of the members belong to at least one other sports conference.

ECAC was founded in 1938 as the headquarters of Eastern Intercollegiate Athletics, largely thanks to the efforts of James Lyne of Cornell University. In 1983, the Eastern Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (EAIAW) was merged into the ECAC. Most member schools also participate in other conferences, but through ECAC they can play sports that are not offered at their main conferences. It is headquartered in Danbury, Connecticut. ECAC also offers eSports competitions to member schools.

Membership

Division I

As of the spring of 2018, there are 87 members of Division I.

Division II

As of the spring of 2018 there are 26 members of Division II.

Division III

As of the spring of 2018, there are 107 participants in Division III.

Branches

The ECAC has several affiliated leagues of selected sports:

• Eastern Rowing College Association
• Eastern Association of Women’s Rowing Colleges
• Eastern Intercollegiate Gymnastics League
• Intercollegiate Rowing Association
• Intercollegiate Rowing Association

-America

• ECAC Lacrosse League (defunct)
• ECAC Division II Lacrosse League (defunct)
• ECAC Hockey (independent since 2004))

Sports

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