By Cassidy Lavigne, Swimming World College Intern
With around 60,000 athletes, 300 schools, and nearly $450 million worth of scholarships awarded each year, the NAIA is a collegiate division that few have heard of, but those who have, know of its outstanding programs and incredible opportunities. The National Association of Interscholastic Athletics, or NAIA, gives athletes the opportunity to compete at the college level, have national championship meets, learn the value of a team, receive excellent coaching and a great education.
In fact, the NAIA requires student-athletes to stay on their toes with their courses and emphasizes the “student first, athlete second” motto of student-athlete life. Soka University of America is one of the many schools in the NAIA that has given me the opportunity and privilege to be able to swim in college. As a student-athlete, I experience the benefits of the NAIA firsthand and am grateful for what it has to offer.
Education
Soka University, a small liberal arts school of about 500 students, offers a unique and personalized education with an 8:1 student-faculty ratio. Located atop the beautiful hills of Aliso Viejo in Southern California, the campus and atmosphere is unlike any other. The small class sizes allow students and professors to work intimately on a variety of topics, and as a student-athlete of the NAIA, it allows and encourages me to dive into subjects that I am interested in.
As a student-athlete representing Soka University I am required to maintain above a 3.0 cumulative GPA to be eligible for an athletic scholarship. Moreover, all student-athletes below a 3.5 GPA must record tutorial hours in study hall. The study hall building with the help of Soka’s sports information director gives athletes a specific and exclusive-athlete area to study and be proactive on assignments.
Furthermore, all students at Soka University are required to study abroad for a semester. For student-athletes, traveling abroad for majority of a season could be overwhelming and affect training. But the opportunity to travel abroad and immerse in a difference culture is encouraged by coaches, and athletes return from study abroad with their scholarship unaffected.
Education is first in the NAIA and Soka University upholds that standard. There is commitment to the team, and at the same time, an understanding of the value of receiving a quality education while competing competitively- the best of both worlds.
Opportunity
When I was first searching for colleges while still in high school, I was looking into playing NCAA Division II or III water polo. Now, two years later, I find myself at my top choice school. I never thought I would find myself in this position.
From day one of practice, I was in awe of everything Soka’s athletic program offered. The gym and Olympic-size competition pool are the best the swimming world has to offer. The athletics department’s staff and coaches are in every athlete’s corner and pushing us to reach above and beyond. I have had the opportunity to travel and swim across the country, from Boston to Colorado Springs to Dallas, and most recently, to Columbus, Georgia to compete at the NAIA Swimming and Diving National Championships.
I am, by no means the fastest swimmer at these meets, but I am still given the opportunity to compete with the fastest swimmers. At every meet, I continue to be inspired by the level of competition, watching swimmers hit nationally-ranked times, and getting to be a part of that competition pushes me to be better.
Champions of Character
Photo Courtesy: Nick Peck
The most unique aspect that is part of the NAIA is the Champions of Character program. A program initiated to encourage student-athletes, coaches, and parents to practice and play fairly and with quality sportsmanship. Throughout each season and every practice coaches and teammates learn and exercise the five elements of a Champion of Character as outlined by the NAIA: Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Servant Leadership, and Sportsmanship.
All of these characteristics are practiced as a team representing Soka athletics on and off the pool deck. At Soka University our team meetings always bring up the qualities and way to represent the Champions of Character. We try to be leaders by showing up on time for practice, pushing our teammates through test sets, shaking negativity when someone has a bad race, and volunteering and helping the community. A well-rounded liberal arts education, the support of our coaches, and the Champions of Character program teaches us qualities that we can use long after our last start off the blocks.
Dan O’Connell Helen McMurray