ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS

NCAA Division III athletics was the perfect choice for these student-athletes.

Many high school athletes must decide between going to a college or university with a “big-time” athletics program and primarily focusing on athletics, often at the expense of academics, or giving up their love of the sport they’ve played since their childhood so they can dedicate themselves to their academic pursuits. At LVC, faculty and coaches believe in and encourage their student-athletes to shine academically and athletically.

The College’s supportive environment enables its student-athletes to study abroad, pursue prestigious clinical and research experiences and internships, and perform with The Pride of The Valley Marching Band, the largest in the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC). Faculty and coaching mentorships provide the foundation for all our students to succeed wherever their passions lie. Here are eight examples of how pursuing Division III athletics allowed these student-athletes to excel in multiple pursuits.

Acing/Caring for the Aging

Nicole Honrade ’23, D’25 wondered if she would have to give up playing tennis while pursuing LVC’s challenging doctor of physical therapy degree. She did not. Last spring, she was named the MAC Women’s Tennis Championship Tournament MVP after helping lead the squad to the team title and an NCCA Division III National Tournament appearance. There, she won in singles and doubles (with Jacquelyn McBride ’23) to record the program’s first-ever NCAA wins.

This semester, she’s participating in her first clinical experience, working with the geriatric population at the Cornwall Manor Health Center.

“I love interacting with my patients and helping them reach their goals,” said Honrade. “It’s rewarding to help our patients maintain the ability to walk, transfer, and perform functional activities as independently as possible. We help train their balance and teach them proper form when transferring from the bed to the wheelchair. Plus, hearing their stories brightens my week.”