GORHAM, Maine   –   Since 1985, the University of Southern Maine Huskies have enjoyed tremendous success academically and in the competition arena as a member of the NCAA's largest division – Division III.  With a dozen national championships, nearly 150 All-Americans, countless all-conference and all-region citations, national community service honors, and a lengthy list of individual and team academic awards, University of Southern Maine Athletics, its staff, and student-athletes have firmly established a tradition of well-rounded achievement and success.
 
Before officially becoming a member of the NCAA, Huskies' Athletics embraced the Division III philosophy through the concept of The Five Pillars of USM Athletics: Academic Excellence, Athletic Achievement, Personal Growth, Professional Development and Service to Community. Honoring this unique balance between higher education and athletic achievement, the University of Southern Maine, like the 434 other Division III member schools, will celebrate NCAA Division III Week April 1-7, 2024.
 
Currently celebrating 50 years of Division III, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has annually recognized its largest membership group since 2010. Per the NCAA, Division III week is an opportunity to observe and celebrate the impact athletics and student-athletes have on campus and in the surrounding community.
 
Recently honoring a record 256 William B. Wise Scholar-Athletes, the Huskies' 2023-2024 academic year is also marked with tremendous athletic accomplishments, including four conference championships (so far) from women's soccer, field hockey, men's indoor track & field and women's indoor track & field. Additionally, five University of Southern Maine student-athletes have earned the prestigious title of NCAA All-American – proving yet again that Husky student-athletes are some of the very best at their respective sports.
 

2023-2024 All-Americans (to date)
Bre Atwood, Women's Soccer                                   Health Science
Hailey McKim, Women's Ice Hockey                      Health Science
Ben Drummey, Track & Field                                   Nursing
Ethan Shain, Track & Field                                       Business Management
Colby Frost, Wrestling                                               Health Science

 
 
"As a staff, and a community, we view athletics as an integral part of the overall student experience and, as a result, Athletics is considered one of the strongest learning communities at the University," commented USM Director of Athletics Al Bean. "Our student-athletes achieve at the highest levels academically, athletically, professionally, personally and in the community, and should be celebrated. Division III Week is a great opportunity to celebrate our student-athletes, each of whom represent the University with the highest character."
 
Highlighting the week-long celebration is a Tuesday morning (8 am) presentation from Janet Judge – one of the foremost Sports Lawyers in the country, and co-Founder of Education & Sports Law Group, LLC. Co-Author of the NCAA's Gender Equity manual, Judge regularly represents and advises NCAA Division I, II and III schools and conferences regarding Title IX athletic equity compliance, student-athlete well-being, and sexual misconduct prevention and response.  Judge's presentation, "Intercollegiate Athletics as a Learning Community: Developing Transferable & Transformational Skills," will be hosted at the USM Ice Arena.
 
Frequently taking part in community-based activities, USM student-athletes will also be partaking in two days of service at Gorham High School to celebrate Division III week. Huskies from various programs will head to GHS on Monday and Thursday presenting "Why I chose Division III? A Day in the Life," sharing their academic majors and experiences as student-athletes and how they have successfully managed both their academic and athletic responsibilities. Student-athletes participating in the service event are Aly Veilleux (women's soccer), Anna Byers (women's lacrosse), Tanner McClure (men's ice hockey), Amelie St. Amant (women's ice hockey), Julianna Kiklis (field hockey), Asa Farley (men's soccer), Nick Beebe (wrestling), and Isabella Smith (volleyball).
 
Understanding that no student-athlete achieves great success academically and athletically without help along the way, Husky student-athletes are also celebrating those who play an integral role in the journey of the University of Southern Maine's nearly 500 student-athletes with a Faculty/Staff Appreciation Game. Members of the University's faculty and staff are invited to attend the Huskies' softball doubleheader against in-state rival University of New England on Wednesday, April 3 (4 pm and 6 pm). Faculty and staff in attendance will be recognized in-between games of the doubleheader.
 
Taking the festivities online during Division III Week, Huskies' Athletics' social media channels will be sharing videos and graphics highlighting the personality, achievements and driving forces shared among members of our diverse student-athlete population. Additionally, student-athletes will be provided with 2024 Huskies' D3Week t-shirts sponsored and provided by USM's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Student-athletes can pick up their free t-shirts with their respective coach.
 

2024 NCAA Division III Week
Date	Event	Location/Time
Monday, April 1	Student-Athlete Presentation: "Why I chose Division III? A day in the life."	Gorham High School, 9:15 am
	Mindfulness Mondays with Jim Karcanes	Alumni Reception Center, 7 pm
Tuesday, April 2	Intercollegiate Athletics as a Learning Community: Developing Transferable & Transformational Skills with Janet Judge	USM Ice Arena, 8 am
Wednesday, April 3	Faculty/Staff Appreciation Game	USM Softball Stadium, 4 & 6 pm
Thursday, April 4	Student-Athlete Presentation: "Why I chose Division III? A day in the life."	Gorham High School, 12:30 pm
	Best Buddies Hang Out (Crafts, Pick up games, etc).	Hill Gymnasium, 12:00 pm
Friday, April 5	SAAC Fri-Yay Fun – Kickball	Costello Fieldhouse, 11 am – 1 pm