Rocky Mount, N.C. - The N.C. Wesleyan Department of Athletics is continuing its celebration of Division III Week with the second of four features highlighting the aspects of its 4C Philosophy. Wednesday's focus is Classroom Success.
The Division III student-athlete truly encompasses both of those words: a STUDENT who works diligently towards his/her degree while embracing the opportunity to compete as a collegiate ATHLETE. It should first be noted, however, that athletic scholarships are not offered at the Division III level. Classroom Success, therefore, becomes especially important considering that many of our Battling Bishops have earned one or more forms of academic scholarship.
This second component of our 4C Philosophy is achieved in a variety of ways and is cultivated in an athletics environment that includes study halls, attendance checks, and responsibility for missed class time due to competition. According to NCAA Research, Division III Federal Graduation Rates show that student-athletes at D-III institutions graduate at higher rates than the general student bodies at those same schools. A portion of that success, perhaps, can be attributed to the dedicated coaches and staff members that monitor student-athlete progress closely.
And it's working! Wesleyan has enjoyed a solid decade of having at least one Academic All-Region selection within the department, while 2017 will mark the 26th straight year that a Student-Athlete of the Year award will be presented to both a deserving male and female Battling Bishop.
If you'd like further evidence of NCWC's Classroom Success, look no further than the USA South's Academic All-Conference Team. A student-athlete must have earned a 3.0 GPA in each of the two semesters of a given year to be eligible for this award, and our Battling Bishops have beaten their own record for classroom achievement for three years straight, eclipsing the century mark for the first time last season with a program-record 114 Academic All-Conference honorees! Wesleyan, in fact, has enjoyed a steady climb in academic achievement over the past five seasons, having now nearly doubled its 2012 total of 58 honorees.
As a nod to Division III Week, let us take time today to thank our devoted faculty and staff that have contributed to this success, as well as congratulate our student-athletes on all of their academic achievements, which are equally as important as any of our athletic accomplishments!
Division III Week is being celebrated April 3-9 and aims to highlight the impact of Division III student-athletes on their campuses and in their surrounding communities. Below is a breakdown of Wesleyan's Division III Week schedule.
MONDAY, APRIL 3
Daily Focus: Division III Video featuring NCWC Student-Athletes & Coaches
Additional Event: Pennies for a Purpose / Bone Marrow Drive (12-4pm, Southern Bank Green)
TUESDAY, APRIL 4
Daily Focus: The 4C Philosophy: Character Development
Additional Event: JV Baseball Wraps Up Kids Vs. Cancer Drive at Bauer Field (3pm)
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5
Daily Focus: The 4C Philosophy: Classroom Success
THURSDAY, APRIL 6
Daily Focus: The 4C Philosophy: Community Involvement
Additional Event: Final Day of Pennies for a Purpose Collections!!!
FRIDAY, APRIL 7
Daily Focus: The 4C Philosophy: Competitive Excellence
Additional Event: TEAM WESLEYAN Day! Wear your Wesleyan apparel and/or team colors!