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AUGUST 28, 2025 | composed by STEVE ULRICH
No publication covers NCAA Division III better. #whyD3

🛌  One More Sleep

🗞️ In Today’s Edition. D3 Commissioners Name Regional Student-Athletes of the Year. Albright College Declares ‘Remarkable’ Turnaround. Field Hockey Preview. Battle of the Bands - The Final. The Age of Josh.

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TOP STORY

1. D3 Commissioners Name Regional Student-Athletes of the Year

The Division III Commissioners Association (D3CA) has announced its 20 regional winners of the D3CA Student-Athlete of the Year.

The D3CA Student-Athlete of the Year Award recognizes graduating seniors who have demonstrated excellence in athletics, academics, leadership, and service throughout their collegiate careers. Chi Alpha Sigma, the National College Athlete Honor Society, serves as the presenting sponsor of these awards.”

» Men’s Honorees. Region 1-Justin Finkel, Connecticut College; 2-Nick Harms, Case Western Reserve; 3-Luke Aquaro, Hobart; 4-Quinnten Hatfield, St. Mary’s, Md.; 5-Reza Eshghi, Haverford; 6-Freddy Rogers, Mary Washington; 7-Trey Theobald, Ohio Wesleyan; 8-Tate Ivanyo, Anderson; 9-Daniel Tulchinskiy, Lake Forest; 10-Max Wagener, Redlands

» Women’s Honorees. Region 1-Hope Shue, Middlebury; 2-Ren Brown, Chicago; 3-Megan Bell, Rochester; 4-Maddy Lehigh, PSU Harrisburg; 5-Michaela O’Neil, Johns Hopkins; 6-Grace Walker, Centre; 7-Mary Mason, Mount Union; 8-Lauren Huber, Illinois Wesleyan; 9-Hailey Gregg, Bethel; 10-Ella Brissett, Claremont-M-S

2. Albright College Declares ‘Remarkable’ Turnaround As It Borrows $15M From Endowment

by Ben Unglesbee, Higher Ed Dive

“Borrowing from an endowment is often a red flag that a college is burning through its last available resources. In Albright’s case, the college says it is using the money to solidify a long-term turnaround.

Not long ago, the college was issuing signs of distress. When it requested legal permission to tap its endowment for capital, Albright noted that its net assets took a $46 million hit between 2022 and 2024. That pushed the college to take “significant measures to lower its deficit,” including cutting 53 employee positions, according to a Spotlight PA report.

As it sought capital to fund a turnaround, the college couldn’t find a bank loan with manageable interest rates. And so it turned to its endowment.”

» What It Means. “The $15 million loan will be drawn down as needed and “comes with a clear repayment plan that includes defined terms, scheduled payments, and quarterly reporting for full accountability and transparency,” Albright said. Per the authorization terms, the repayment period extends 20 years and the loan will carry a minimum of 3% interest.”

» What’s Next. “With the new funding, Albright is investing in capital projects and deferred maintenance. The “centerpiece” of those improvements, it said, is an expansion and renovation of the college’s central library.”

» Read More

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3. Field Hockey Preview

Get ready for the 2025 season with the D3Playbook season preview.

» 2025 Preseason NFHCA Top 10 Ranking. 1-Middlebury, 2-Tufts, 3-Salisbury,
4-Williams, 5-Johns Hopkins, 6-Christopher Newport, 7-Babson, 8-Bates, 9-Messiah,
10-York (Pa.) | Complete Poll

» Preseason Conference Favorites. Marywood (AEC); Johns Hopkins (CC); Mary Washington (CFHC); Simmons (GNAC); Susquehanna (Landmark); VTSU Castleton (LEC); Rochester (LL); Fitchburg State/Westfield State (MASCAC); Messiah (MACC); Stevens (MACF); Babson (NEWMAC); Rowan (NJAC); Ohio Wesleyan (NCAC); Lynchburg/Shenandoah (ODAC); Salisbury (SUNYAC); St. Mary’s, Md. (UEC)

» Returning All-Americans. GK-Lydia Eastburn, Sr., Tufts; GK-Ellie Smith, So., Williams; GK-Abbey McIlvain, Sr., Salisbury; D-Tess Herman, Sr., Rowan; D-Pilar Torres, Sr., Williams; M-Khanyisile Mzizi, Jr., Lynchburg; M-Ingrid Tomovski, Jr., MIT; M-Jenna Halpin, Grad, Johns Hopkins; M-Courtney Hughlett, Jr., Christopher Newport; M-Bailey McIntyre, Sr., MIT; M-Lilly Truchon, Sr., Hamilton; F-Kiki Higgins, Sr., Williams; F-Marli McDorman, Sr., Salisbury; F-Maddie Greco, Jr., Union; F-Rachel Tama, Grad, New Paltz.

excludes 2024 seniors and grads

4. Battle of the Bands - The Final

It’s the bi-annual D3Playbook “Best Fight Song” competition and we’re down to the final matchup between two-time defending champion Adrian and upstart Central.

» How to Vote. Go to the D3Playbook twitter site and cast your vote for the winning song in each contest.

» The Final. Adrian vs. Central.

5. Comings and Goings 

• CCNY - Perla Sanchez named head women’s volleyball coach

• CONFERENCE OF NEW ENGLAND - Patrick Colbert will step down as commissioner effective September 15

• HAMPDEN-SYDNEY - Grayson Burns named head tennis coach

• ILLINOIS WESLEYAN - Tony Bankston and Kim Nelson-Brown named senior associate athletic directors. Katie Gonzales and Lindsey Kellar named associate athletic directors. Tyler White named assistant athletic director

• JOHNSON & WALES CHARLOTTE - Cory Neal named head tennis coach

• MARY BALDWIN - Jeff Stein resigned as president. Todd Telemeco named president

• MERCHANT MARINE - Bob Sugar named head equipment manager. Matthew Bonvento named faculty athletics representative

• OHIO WESLEYAN - Brendan Eagan named sports information director

• WASHINGTON COLLEGE - Bryan Matthews named interim president

• WASHINGTON U. - Allen Rice named events and travel manager

6. It’s The Golden Age of ‘Josh’

by Allan Smith and Amanda Terkel, NBC News

“Joshes are having a moment.

As it stands, there’s a nonzero chance that the presidential election could feature a matchup of Joshes as both Republican and Democratic Joshes rise within their parties. As the NFL season kicks off, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is looking to repeat as the league’s MVP award winner — and finally lead his team to the Super Bowl. Josh wine, meanwhile, is a top seller. And “Weapons,” a horror film starring actor Josh Brolin, topped the box office charts last week.” 

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