Athletic department mission statement

Lesley University, as part of its educational mission, offers a program of NCAA Division III athletics designed to meet individual needs, interests and abilities of all students who participate. Our goal is to develop an environment that supports intellectual and emotional development within the context of competitive play.

The Athletic Department at Lesley University is committed to providing close interaction among its coaches, staff and student athletes. This will allow our participants an opportunity to strive for their personal best. We believe active participation on an intercollegiate team will provide student athletes an opportunity to develop lifetime skills of leadership, teamwork, sportsmanship and community service.

The mission of the Lesley athletic program is a commitment to excellence of the scholar-athlete, one who seeks to lead in work, in the community, and in life. Lesley athletics will strive to attain competitive excellence in all sports programs, including achieving local, regional and national achievement in competitive play. The NCAA Division III Mission Statement for Colleges and Universities, including Lesley University, places highest priority on the overall quality of the educational experience and on the successful completion of all academic programs. NCAA Division III member institutions seek to establish and maintain an environment in which athletic activities are conducted as an integral part the educational experience. They also seek to establish and maintain an environment that values cultural diversity and gender equity among their student-athletes and athletics staff.

What does NCAA Division III have to offer?

• Division III athletics offers student-athletes the opportunity to become well-rounded individuals who successfully integrate athletics and academics. Student-athletes are integrated into the student body, and they experience the full range of college life.
• Division III athletics departments place special importance on the impact of athletics on the participants rather than on the spectators. The student-athlete's experience is of paramount concern.
  
• Division III athletics feature athletes who receive no financial aid related to their athletic skills and athletic departments that are staffed and funded like any other department in the university.
  
• Division III athletics encourages the development of sportsmanship and positive social attitudes. Coaches and players treat each other with respect, and administrators work to foster a positive competitive environment.
  
• Division III athletics is committed to providing equitable athletics opportunities for both genders and gives equal emphasis to men's and women's sports.
  
• Division III athletics encourages participation by maximizing the number and variety of athletics opportunities available to student-athletes, placing primary emphasis on regional in-season and conference competition.