Massachusetts Maritime is joining with countless schools across the country in celebration of NCAA Division III Week, which officially began on Monday and runs through Saturday, April 15^th.  This year’s inaugural event will celebrate student-athletes’ academic achievements and athletic accomplishments, in addition to their campus leadership and their involvement in community service.

The Buccaneers actually began the NCAA Division III Week festivities in late March, as over 150 student-athletes gathered in the Clean Harbors Athletic Center gymnasium to welcome the newest member of their family, 12-year-old Teddy McGowan, who signed his “letter of intent” with the Massachusetts Maritime men’s lacrosse team.  The Department of Athletics has partnered with Team IMPACT, a non-profit organization based in Quincy, Mass. that partners with colleges and universities across the region to improve the quality of life for children facing adverse issues and events by establishing and expanding vibrant team-based support net.  To read more about Teddy McGowan and his new Buccaneers teammates, please visit www.mmabucs.com and click on the “Teddy’s Ballgame” button on the right hand column.

The Massachusetts Maritime women’s lacrosse team provided a memorable experience to a local family last Saturday, as Bourne Middle School sixth grader Jacee Alves and his brother, fifth grader Jadyn, served as the “Student Coach” and “Student Assistant Coach” during the Buccaneers’ New England Women’s Lacrosse Alliance match with Westfield State at Clean Harbors Stadium.  Jacee and Jadyn helped Head Coach Julie Rigo and Assistant Coach Kelsey Lareau in pre-match warm-up as well as on the bench during the match.

In addition to community service, Massachusetts Maritime celebrated academic achievement last week by hosting its third annual National Student-Athlete Day Excellence Breakfast, as 14 Buccaneers were honored for their accomplishments in competition, in the classroom and in the community.  Members of the Academy’s faculty, administration and athletics staff gathered to recognize those student-athletes who achieved the highest grade point average during the Fall 2011 semester in conjunction with the celebration of National Student-Athlete Day.

Other events will take place throughout the week, including Division III recognition at home events for Buccaneer baseball and men’s lacrosse later in the week.  Massachusetts Maritime Director of Athletics Bob Corradi has nothing but effusive praise for the mission of Division III and couldn’t be more pleased with the Academy’s participation in this week’s festivities.

“Being a Buccaneer is truly an embodiment of what Division III athletics stands for—it revolves around dedication to teammates, discovering oneself in competition and in study and developing life skills and friendships that will serve our student-athletes well after they graduate,” Corradi says.  “It is a great honor for Massachusetts Maritime to be a part of what will become a new and exciting tradition across the country.”

For more information on the celebration of NCAA Division III Week, please visit www.ncaa.org.