For athletes who want to pursue their passion for competition while excelling in the classroom, Division III provides opportunities for student-athletes to thrive.
“At Susquehanna, Division III athletics is about prioritizing academics while still embracing the excitement of high-level competition,” said Sharief Hashim, athletic director at Susquehanna University. “Our student-athletes succeed in a supportive, close-knit community that champions achievement in every aspect of campus life — in the classroom, in competition and in the community.”
The National Collegiate Athletic Association’s DIII Week, April 6–12, celebrates the impact student-athletes have on their campuses and surrounding communities. About 30% of the student population at Susquehanna participates in at least one of the university’s 23 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports teams.
Being a DIII athlete has allowed me to be the best version of myself on and off the court.
Julia Roth ’26
“The collegiate athletic schedule of workouts, watching film, team activities, practices and games can get hectic and take up many hours of the day, leaving a specific amount of time to focus on academics,” said Julia Roth ’26, a political science major from Allentown, Pennsylvania, who plays forward for the women’s basketball team. “The time available for schoolwork must be focused and efficient. Staying organized and planning ahead allows me to succeed on the court and in the classroom.”
Roth was named to the Landmark Conference All-Sportsmanship Team following her first season and the CSC All-Academic Team after her sophomore year. A knee injury caused Roth to miss her entire junior season.
“Last year was incredibly difficult to watch my teammates play while being completely sidelined and going through surgery rehabilitation,” Roth said. “With the support and care of my teammates and coaching staff, I was able to maintain an uplifting and positive attitude and help my team during practices, games and more.”
This year, Roth was one of the 61 athletes nationwide to be awarded the Kay Yow Servant Leader Award, which is presented to students who display a commitment to leadership and uplift others with grace and humility.
Off the court, Roth serves as co-president of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee that brings athletics to the Selinsgrove community through service initiatives and promotion of Susquehanna sporting events.
“As an athletics community, we support each other by attending games, cheering for each other’s successes and being there for each other as much as possible. We lean on each other through tough losses and injuries, while also serving as each other’s biggest cheerleaders,” Roth explained. “Being a DIII athlete has allowed me to build lifelong relationships and connections that encourage me to be the best version of myself on and off the court.”
Being a Division III student-athlete means putting your best foot forward in all you do.
Brian Layton Jr. ’26
Brian Layton Jr. ’26, a management major from Morton, Pennsylvania, is a two-time All-Landmark Conference First Team defensive lineman and captain of the 2025 River Hawks football team.
“Being a Division III student-athlete means putting your best foot forward in all you do. At the end of the day, we are not receiving athletic scholarships or huge NIL deals. Most of us are doing it because we love our sport and want a great education,” Layton said.
Layton is also involved in Student Athletic Advisory Committee and Future Business Leaders of America where he has served as a parliamentarian and attended the State Leadership Conference.
“I will never ever ‘quit’ anything until I have tried my very best,” Layton said. “I know that I can do anything if I truly apply myself and give my best effort. Even if I end up failing at a task, it always leads to another door that can sometimes be a greater accomplishment in the end. I apply this way of thinking to football, school, internships and everyday tasks.”
DIII athletics gives student-athletes the opportunity to learn valuable lessons in time-management, teamwork, discipline, leadership and perseverance, Hashim added, which are all lessons and skills valuable to them post-graduation.
