Indianapolis, IN – The Year-Long Celebration for the 50th Anniversary of NCAA Division III Commences Sunday, August 6, 2023.
The 50th anniversary of NCAA Division III marks a significant milestone in collegiate sports. "Division III of the NCAA was established in 1973, now home to more than 440 institutions and 195,000 student-athletes — the most in any division — who can earn the opportunity to compete in 28 national championships. The Division III philosophy ensures athletics are an integral part of a well-rounded college experience. The athletic experience allows student-athletes to focus on their academic programs and the ultimate goal of earning a degree. The four-year journey is designed to complement time spent in the classroom and pursuing other activities — some related to coursework, others extracurricular. Division III student-athletes are fueled by passion. They strive to do their best on the field and in the classroom because they realize the value in athletics lies beyond a scoreboard. Student-athletes push themselves to achieve excellence and build upon their academic success with new challenges and life skills within an environment that fosters health and wellness." (NCAA.org)
The history of intercollegiate athletics at Cairn University begins in 1948 with a touch football contest between Cairn (then Philadelphia School of the Bible) and Eastern Baptist Seminary, the next year establishing the Christian Touch Football League. Athletics at the newly merged Philadelphia Bible Institute expanded to include Men's & Women's Basketball, Touch Football, and Cheerleading in 1952. Cairn, as Philadelphia Biblical University (PBU), would eventually compete in the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) before joining the NCAA in 2003. Starting in 2012, Cairn's intercollegiate teams competed as the Highlanders, formerly the Crimson Eagles, in conjunction with the University's name change from PBU to Cairn University.
"The longevity and success of Division III is due to the commitment of our members and the student-athletes," said Louise McCleary, vice president of Division III. "Over five decades, Division III schools and conferences have remained focused on ensuring athletics are a critical component of a student-athlete's well-rounded college experience. It's resulted in five decades of success, which we can't wait to celebrate with members across the country."
Read More From the NCAA Here or by using the official hashtag, #DIII50
