DII festival a ‘unique’ and ‘amazing’ experience for student-athletes

Winning a national championship creates a mix of emotions and a lifelong memory, each unique to the team and players in those moments.

Six teams enjoyed those experiences at the Division II National Championships Festival in Seattle last weekend. When student-athletes were asked to describe that accomplishment in one word, the weight of the moment became apparent. 

“Unforgettable,” said Payton Neal, a junior for the Western Washington women’s soccer team, which won the championship about 90 miles from campus in front of a sold-out crowd in Seattle. 

“Everything,” said Abi Nash, a senior for the West Texas A&M volleyball team, which won the program’s first national championship in 25 years to cap a 26-match winning streak to end the season. 

“Unbelievable” was how Amy Supey, a junior for East Stroudsburg field hockey, described her team winning its second Division II title.

“Thankful” was the word used by Dillon Powell, a redshirt junior for the Colorado School of Mines men’s cross country team. A year after not being able to finish the national championship race, he won the 2022 individual title, and his teammates were close behind to secure the team title, as well. 

As powerful as those emotionally driven moments were, student-athletes used similar descriptions about the festival experience itself. The Olympic-style event, which had not been held since 2018 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, was something completely new to almost all 88 teams and nearly 1,000 student-athletes who advanced to Seattle in their respective sports.

“It was a super cool experience. I’ve never been at anything like this before,” said Asia Hardin, a freshman for the Western Washington women’s soccer team. “I really liked how all the different sports were together. I was able to meet a lot of different athletes, and the men’s cross country team from our school was also here, so that was amazing to get support from them and be able to support them throughout their championship, too.”

“It was crazy,” Supey said. “There was so much going on and so many sports, so many people around. It was just a great experience to see all of these different sports and everyone competing at the highest level and to be part of that.”

Part of what created such a special atmosphere was that the student-athletes stayed in the same hotel, which offered them a chance to interact with peers from different parts of the country and in different sports. This socializing occurred occasionally in the ballroom where teams ate breakfast every morning. It also happened in the giant student-athlete lounge, where they could watch livestreamed Division II championship games or the latest World Cup match, as well as compete in video games, cornhole, large Connect 4 and much more.

“It’s so unique. Not only coming to the national tournament but having a festival year,” Nash said. “It really makes you feel incredibly important, incredibly special. Every single one of the student-athletes, whether they’re playing or not, just feels like a million bucks.”

Teams also mixed together to engage with the Seattle community during their time at the festival, living out a core philosophy of Division II. Teams visited local elementary schools and Boys & Girls Clubs throughout the week. One specific class even came to the volleyball match between Wingate and West Texas A&M after interacting with those players earlier in the week. 

“It’s really amazing that we’ve been able to make an impact in children’s lives,” Hardin said. “I think it’s really awesome.”

For many, like senior Olivia Breen for East Stroudsburg field hockey, the trip marked their first time to Seattle or the Pacific Northwest in general. This added a memorable layer to the overall experience. 

“We got to visit the (Pike Place) Market and all these other nice places. It was just a great time,” she said.

Like the Olympics, the festival includes opening and a closing ceremonies. The festival’s opening ceremonies took place at the Museum of Pop Culture, where the six Elite 90 award winners and teams with the highest GPA were recognized. The closing ceremonies honored the six national champion teams crowned during the week, capping a week of celebrating student-athlete achievements.

“It really made us feel special,” said Kayla Elliott, a redshirt senior for West Texas A&M volleyball. “I know regardless of this outcome, whether we had won the national championship or not, we definitely would’ve been like, ‘This was an amazing trip and experience for all of us.'"

Photos courtesy of NCAA Photos