NCAA gymnastics season is an exciting time of year for gymnasts and fans alike, with the top teams in the country earning tons of attention. But there are over 80 NCAA women’s gymnastics programs, 14 of which belong to Division III.

While Division I teams can offer 12 full scholarships, and Division II can offer the monetary equivalent of 6 full scholarships, Division III gives no athletic scholarships. In previous years, the lack of athletic scholarships has shown a significant divide in the level of competition across the divisions, but in 2015 it is more evident than ever that Division III is closing the gap and demanding respect.

The National Collegiate Gymnastics Association (NCGA) was born in 1983 to be the governing body of Division III gymnastics, as the NCAA refused to sponsor it. In 1984, there were 24 member institutions. We all recognize that NCAA gymnastics is in jeopardy, as it seems like a different team faces elimination every year.

Nobody understands how devastating the loss of programs is more than Division III programs. In 2009, MIT cut both their women’s and men’s teams, despite producing the Division III national all-around champion that year, Julia Sharpe (then Zimmerman). In 2011, Rhode Island College was cut, but later reinstated due to public outcry and demand for the program to remain. In 2012, Gustavus Adolphus threatened to cut their program, and in 2013, Wilson College disappeared. With just 14 programs remaining, Division III is teetering on the edge of disaster.

But the division is truly a diamond in the rough, worthy of recognition and praise. Here’s why.

1. The Level of Division III Gymnasts

Many people believe Division III is not “real” college gymnastics and they couldn’t be more wrong. Chelsie (Veilleux) Burland (Ithaca College ’07) is a club/high school coach and level 10 judge who turned down walk-on spots at DI schools to instead compete in DIII. She finds herself constantly defending DIII against naysayers.

“I hate how many people knock DIII gymnastics,” she says. “I am constantly biting my tongue when I hear ‘my daughter is too good for DIII’ or ‘my goal is DI because DIII isn’t competitive’ or that it’s ‘like high school gymnastics.’ I want to ask them if they’ve ever even watched a DIII meet.”

2015 has been a great year for DIII, with teams like Ursinus, Brockport, Ithaca, Springfield, Winona State, UW Whitewater, and UW Stout – to name a few – breaking school records left and right. Ursinus scored a program record 192.625 on February 22, defeating DI Temple by nearly 5 points. Yes, you read that right. A team of non-scholarship gymnasts blew a team of full scholarship athletes out of the water.

Brockport also broke into the 192s with their school record finish of 192.225 on March 1. In addition to Ursinus and Brockport, Whitewater – one of several in the University of Wisconsin system – has hit 190 or better twice this season.

Many DIII gymnasts are higher in the national rankings than DI athletes. As of March 2, the top gymnasts in DIII per event are Whitewater’s Katie Fiorilli on vault (9.731 RQS), Brockport’s Stephanie Schuler on bars (9.706 RQS), Cortland’s Elise Konikoff on beam (9.713 RQS), Brockport’s Lexi King on floor (9.775 RQS), and Whitewater’s Courtney Pickett in the all-around (38.163 RQS). With top scores in the 9.7-9.8 range, DIII seems like “real” college gymnastics to me.

2. DIII Does Not Have the Funding of DI Programs

Since the NCAA doesn’t sponsor DIII, many programs lack funding, which is one of the reasons why so many DIII programs have been on the chopping block in recent years. They don’t have the luxury of state-of-the-art, multi-million dollar practice facilities, or different leotards for every meet. Most programs rely heavily on alumni contributions to keep going. They also aren’t allowed the same amount of practice time as DI athletes, training fewer hours for fewer months in preparation for the season.

And let’s not forget the amount of personal funding that comes from each gymnast just to attend the school. Where DI scholarship gymnasts attend school for free, every single DIII gymnast must foot the bill for her education. And with so many programs coming from private institutions – like Ursinus, Ithaca, Hamline, Springfield, and Gustavus, to name a few – the price of a college education and competing in collegiate gymnastics can skyrocket to over $50,000 a year.

But despite it all, DIII continues to succeed. “After being a DIII gymnast and then working at a DI school, I see so many differences which made me appreciate even more why I chose DIII,” Lauren Moroch (Ithaca College ’12) notes. “The last DIII nationals I went to, the top three teams scored over 190. That says a lot about how much DIII gymnastics has improved, especially when we have some of the worst practice facilities in the country.”

3. Many DIII Gymnasts Learn New Skills in College

While many level 10s choose DIII, there are just as many – if not more – level 9 gymnasts who end up there. In order to produce competent scores under NCAA’s modified level 10 requirements, many gymnasts end up learning new skills in college. Learning new high-level skills in your early 20s is not a feat that should go unrecognized. It is hard enough to maintain and fine-tune skills a gymnast already has, but learning new skills in addition to improving them adds a completely different dynamic.

“I learned about 10 skills in college,” Moroch told us. “That may be a tribute to my coach and his coaching style (the willingness to still coach new skills and selecting girls with potential), but I don’t think you can get that experience anywhere else.”

4. DIII Teams Regularly Compete Against DI and DII Programs

Since there are so few DIII programs, many teams have no other choice but to compete against DI and DII teams in order to fill their schedules, something Rhode Island College graduate Caitlin Elliott fondly remembers. “DIII gymnastics is so tough. The support from many of the athletic departments is not there and the women constantly have to compete against DI and DII teams but they do it without a single complaint because they love the sport.”

In few – if any – other sports do DIII athletes compete so regularly against scholarship-level athletes, and yet many DIII teams are able to hold their own.

5. DIII Gymnastics is All About Love, Solidarity, and Camaraderie Between Teams

Since DIII is so small, despite all the rivalries, every team supports one another. Every DIII coach and gymnast knows they can’t afford to lose another program. The camaraderie in DIII is so strong that during preseason, Brockport invited Rhode Island College out for a weekend to practice with them in a clinic-type atmosphere, where coaches and gymnasts alike could share ideas.

The bond formed between the two programs is as strong as ever. Despite being programs in the same conference, RIC and Brockport are incredibly supportive and loving of one another, as if they were one big team.

This support amongst teams is one of the greatest things RIC graduate Fallon Connolly remembers from her time in the sport. “DIII is great because every athlete and coach is there because they love it, and because they want to be there. DIII teams root for each other and want each other to succeed. There aren’t many of them out there and they know that, which is why they find it important to support each other to keep the sport they love alive.”

When MIT, RIC, Wilson, and Gustavus faced the chopping block, it was the DIII gymnasts and coaches who were first to rally to the cause. That family is what Lauren Moroch misses most about her DIII experience. “DIII gymnastics is like a family. We stick together. We all have our little rivalries, but when it comes down to it, everyone is so happy for each other at the NCGA Championships.”

Gymnastics is a sport that incites passion among athletes, that much is certain. But it is my belief that DIII gymnasts have a unique kind of passion, and it is that passion that drives DIII gymnasts as the sole motivation for doing what they do. RIC’s Caitlin Elliott said it best: “DIII gymnastics is all about love. Love for the sport, love for the atmosphere, love for your team. I would not have traded my DIII experience for anything.”

To end our article, here are a few statements from real (current and former) DIII gymnasts when I asked them “Why DIII?” Their answers are 100% genuine, from the heart, and completely encompass the passion and spirit of Division III.

“For me, DIII gymnastics is special because it allows you to learn and grow – not only as an athlete, but as a leader, a teammate, and a person. Like others have said, there is truly a lot of love and passion that goes into the DIII world. I’m lucky to be a part of it!” – Riley Acton, Ursinus College ’15

“DIII athletics allows you to have fun and enjoy the sport. I looked at some DI schools and got accepted to some, but I didn’t feel like I fit in there. Ithaca is perfect for me, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.” – Kendra Balcerak, Ithaca College ’18

“We aren’t here because it’s our job. It’s our passion, and we do it for the love of the sport. We are surrounded by people who feel the same. They are our family.” – Courtney Boyle, SUNY Cortland ’16

“DIII was a lot less pressure, and it seemed really team-oriented and a lot of fun!” – Faith Burns, SUNY Brockport ’17

“I was not good enough for DI, and I would have probably cracked under the pressure I put myself under had I chosen DI.” – Bri Carey, SUNY Brockport ’18

“Gymnastics is my life, and to be a part of a loving and supportive team that feels the same way about the sport as I do is more than I could ever ask for.” – Maria Cusanelli, SUNY Cortland ’18

“DIII [athletes] have so much heart, passion, and love for the sport.” – Mandy Grahn, Wilson College ’13

“I wanted to continue gymnastics throughout my college career, and to have a second family away from home. DIII is where I felt I could accomplish this.” – Alli Hester, SUNY Brockport ’18

“DIII was perfect. I could do what I loved while still focusing on my school work. It’s been much more rewarding than club gymnastics, because it’s all about the team.” – Lily Jagodzinski, SUNY Brockport ’16

“Gymnastics is my first love. I couldn’t imagine not continuing my career after college. This sport has taught me so many life lessons.” – Lexi King, SUNY Brockport ’15

“DIII gymnastics is a lot less pressure than DI. I wanted to be able to have fun doing gymnastics without the DI pressure.” – Sarah Krulish, SUNY Brockport ’17

“It is all about passion for the sport. We are here as a team, united to chase success.” –Elise Konikoff, SUNY Cortland ‘15

“I wanted to continue my gymnastics career, but my schooling came first. In DI, it seems like gymnastics comes first and school second, so DIII seemed like the perfect fit for me.” –Ariel Leahy, SUNY Brockport ’17

“DIII athletics allows you to enjoy the sport you love and to experience that competitive nature for another four years, while still allowing you to experience all the other aspects of life as a college student. There is a balance of both student and athlete.” –Danielle Maffuid, Ithaca College ‘18

“I chose DIII gymnastics because I knew it was going to be a fun atmosphere and a perfect fit for me. I don’t have huge skills, but my gymnastics is clean. I think DIII gymnastics is perfect for the gymnast who still wants to pursue the sport without breaking her body for it.” – Cailee Mallory, Rhode Island College ‘18

“I wasn’t good enough to do DI, but I still wanted to do gymnastics and get a good education.” – Becca Meister, Ithaca College ‘18

“Division III gymnastics is unique because it allows gymnasts to continue the sport in college without the extra pressures of some DI schools. These athletes do it because they truly love it. No scholarships are offered, and so participating in Division III gymnastics comes from the heart. There is no extrinsic motivation.” – Lauren Moroch, Ithaca College ‘12

“Choosing DIII allowed me to continue my passion for the sport, and to also have a good balance between sport and education. I could not be happier with my decision!” –Emily Nagy, SUNY Cortland ‘16

“I chose DIII so I would be able to balance my gymnastics and being a nursing student.” –Amanda Rota, SUNY Brockport ‘16

Article by Sarah Chrane