MCLA Athletics Department Mission

The Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Department of Intercollegiate Athletics strives to improve the quality of life for students by providing the opportunities to participate and compete in a wide variety of activities on the intercollegiate level.

MCLA Athletics Department Philosophy

The MCLA Athletic Department is founded on the belief that the total development of the student-athlete is our primary focus.

 thletics is an integral part of the total educational experience.  With that philosophy in the forefront, the two primary goals of the department are:  to assist the student-athlete in reaching his/her academic goal and to graduate from MCLA, and to provide opportunities to compete and reach the highest level of athletic performance.  It is our intention to enable each student-athlete to fulfill his/her personal academic and athletic potential.

All department staff members believe that student-athletes can develop skills for success in life through a quality athletic program that provides the opportunity for the student- athlete to mature as an individual and take responsibility for his/her academic and athletic success through a strong work ethic, loyalty, mutual respect, trust and teamwork.

In support of this philosophy, coaches will demonstrate total concern for the individual by encouraging and facilitating access to and utilization of the many support services and resources the College offers.

Though our primary focus is the student-athlete, the program acknowledges and embraces its role in building a sense of community and pride on campus and serves as a bridge to MCLA alum and the community at large.  Through this comprehensive approach, MCLA will field competitive and successful athletic teams while supporting and honoring the College mission and traditions.

The NCAA on Division III Athletics

Colleges and universities in Division III place highest priority on the overall quality of the educational experience and on the successful completion of all students' academic programs. They seek to establish and maintain an environment in which a student-athlete's athletics activities are conducted as an integral part of the student-athlete's educational experience. They also seek to establish and maintain an environment that values cultural diversity and gender equity among their student-athletes and athletics staff.

To achieve this end, Division III institutions:

(a) Place special importance on the impact of athletics on the participants rather than on the spectators and place greater emphasis on the internal constituency (students, alumni, institutional personnel) than on the general public and its entertainment needs

(b) Award no athletically related financial aid to any student

(c) Encourage the development of sportsmanship and positive societal attitudes in all constituents, including student-athletes, coaches, administrative personnel and spectators

(d) Encourage participation by maximizing the number and variety of athletics opportunities for their students

(e) Assure that the actions of coaches and administrators exhibit fairness, openness and honesty in their relationships with student-athletes

(f) Assure that athletics participants are not treated differently from other members of the student body

(g) Assure that athletics programs support the institution's educational mission by financing, staffing and controlling the programs through the same general

procedures as other departments of the institution

(h) Provide equitable athletics opportunities for males and females and give equal emphasis to men's and women's sports

(i) Support ethnic and gender diversity for all constituents

(j) Give primary emphasis to regional in-season competition and conference championships

(k) Support student-athletes in their efforts to reach high levels of athletics performance, which may include opportunities for participation in national championships, by providing all teams with adequate facilities, competent coaching and appropriate competitive opportunities

The purpose of the NCAA is to assist its members in developing the basis for consistent, equitable competition while minimizing infringement on the freedom of individual institutions to determine their own special objectives and programs. The above statement articulates principles that represent a commitment to Division III membership and shall serve as a guide for the preparation of legislation by the division and for planning and implementation of programs by institutions and conferences.

Why We Play D-III Athletics

It's not about getting a scholarship, getting drafted, or making SportsCenter. It's a deep need in us that comes from the heart. We need to practice, to play, to lift, to hustle, to sweat. We do it all for our teammates and for the student in our calculus class that we don't even know. We don't practice with a future major league first baseman; we practice with a future sports agent. We don't lift weights with a future Olympic wrestler; we lift with a future doctor. We don't run with a future Wimbledon champion; we run with a future CEO. It's a bigger part of us than our friends and family can understand. Sometimes we play for 2,000 fans; sometimes 25. But we still play hard. You cheer for us because you know us. You know more than just our names. Like all of you, we are students first. We don't sign autographs. But we do sign graduate school applications, MCAT exams, and student body petitions. When we miss a kick or strike out, we don't let down an entire state. We only let down our teammates, coaches, and fans. But the hurt is still the same. We train hard, lift, throw, run, kick, tackle, shoot, dribble, and lift some more, and in the morning we go to class. And in that class we are nothing more than students. It's about pride--in ourselves, in our school. It's about our love and passion for the game. And when it's over, when we walk off that court or field for the last time, our hearts crumble. Those tears are real. But deep down inside, we are very proud of ourselves. We will forever be what few can claim...college athletes.

written by Sean Sornsin, who played baseball at Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa.

The article appeared in the Dec. 3, 1999 edition of The Cornellian (student newspaper)