Recapping an unforgettable DII festival

Winning a national championship is a culmination of dedication, effort and focus that creates a lasting legacy for the student-athletes, coaches and schools involved.

The Division II National Championships Festival is a special experience in which multiple sports come together to collectively crown champions and give back to the community in an unforgettable weeklong experience.

It’s rare.

It’s special.

For three of the six national champions last week in Orlando, Florida, it was especially meaningful as it was their program’s, and in one case school’s, first time hoisting the trophy.

Winners in men’s golf and women’s tennis and lacrosse all made history in Orlando as they claimed their program’s first national championship.

In men’s golf, Colorado Christian made history in several ways by winning the national championship over North Georgia 3-2. It was Colorado Christian’s first national title in any sport, as well as the first title by any men’s golf team in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference and for a Colorado-based school.

In women’s golf, UIndy claimed its third national title since 2015 in dramatic fashion — winning by a single stroke in the first sudden-death playoff hole against St. Mary’s (Texas). Junior Anci Dy’s birdie was the difference maker in the playoff and on the day, as she shot a remarkable 67.

In women’s tennis, Nova Southeastern made a statement. The Sharks knocked off six-time defending champion Barry 4-2 to avenge a loss to the school in last year’s title match. It’s the Nova Southeastern program’s first national championship.

In men’s tennis, Valdosta State added a third trophy to the program’s trophy case. The Blazers beat Flagler 4-3 and ended Barry’s four-year title run. Valdosta State last won the national championship in 2011.

In softball, the third time was the charm for The University of Texas at Tyler. In their third straight trip to the softball championship, the Patriots claimed their first softball championship since moving to Division II and becoming a full member in 2021. UT Tyler won Game 1 3-0 and Game 2 10-1 over Western Washington in the double-elimination tournament.

In women’s lacrosse, nothing could faze the University of Tampa. The Spartans beat Regis (Colorado) in a tense 17-16 semifinal battle before defeating Adelphi 13-8 in the national title game for the program’s first title.

Making an impact off the field

With 82 teams of student-athletes from six sports, attention was focused not just on competing for a national title but also on making a difference.

As the NCAA is committed to improving communities that host championships and Division II places an emphasis on life in the balance, student-athletes from each team and sport participated in community service activities throughout their week in Orlando.

“We do it across all of our DII national championships, but when you do it at a festival and you have so many sports and student-athletes at one time, the impact is real,” said Terri Steeb Gronau, vice president

of Division II. “When you’ve got 800 student-athletes out in the community really making an impact, that is a good highlight.”

Student-athletes spent time visiting veterans, children’s hospitals, retirement communities, elementary schools and youth groups. Participating organizations included the American Red Cross, Team IMPACT, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, and Folds of Honor.

“It’s really important for student-athletes to be involved in the community,” said Cece Colombo, a member of the women’s lacrosse team at Tampa. “Student-athletes are role models … so you have to be able to give back and show what it means to be a student-athlete. You’re not just an athlete and a student; it’s about the whole perception.”

The festival experience

The Division II festival wasn’t just an event, it was a vibe. You could feel the atmosphere and excitement throughout the week.

Billboards on busy I- 94 advertised the festival. The teams took over three hotels. Competition sites and hotels were decked out in festival signs. There were student-athlete lounges, and opening and closing ceremonies.

The DII festival kicked off in raucous fashion at Mango’s Tropical Cafe for opening ceremonies. In addition to a collective dinner with all participating teams and Elite 90 and Team GPA announcements, guests were treated to a musical performance that got most of them off their feet.

Orlando is a popular tourist destination with a lot to offer for thrill seekers, sports fans and anyone who wants to make memories. Combining the championship experience with a magical city featuring theme parks and tasty restaurants was a recipe for success for the student-athletes and teams.

Hear from the student-athletes on their experience:

“Everything has been put together perfectly. Coming into the hotel and just seeing the graphics on the sliding doors and then seeing that like everybody in this hotel is athletes and they’ve planned community engagement events and ceremonies, we’ve all felt like we’re part of something bigger, and I think it’s really cool.”

Sarah Hinkle, Tampa lacrosse

“When we first walked in, seeing that we are part of this NCAA championship festival felt amazing. For the whole team, it’s a great feeling to be part of it.”

Dinara Alloiarova, Barry women’s tennis

“I love the atmosphere. It’s definitely different than the past two years that we’ve made it. Seeing all these different athletes from all the different sports ... we’re all competing for the same thing, just in different areas. It’s nice to see the competitive nature within each different sport and seeing success between them at the festival. ... I’m proud we all made it here. This is something we should all celebrate together. I’m glad we have going to the lounge and stuff. We all get to hang out and celebrate one another. That’s what I feel like this is all about: celebrating the hard work that we have all put in together."

Michelle Arias, UT Tyler softball

“It's been great. The first night we went down and played some air hockey and some Pop-A-Shot in the student-athlete lounge. It’s been really fun seeing all the different teams here and how many people there are. And the Mango’s club, was not expecting that!”

Bennett Baldwin, Central Oklahoma men’s golf

“It’s been really fun. Mango’s was definitely the best part. We had a lot of fun there, but getting to see all the different teams coming in, you don’t really think about, ‘Oh, every sport is going through the same emotions and feelings that we have.’ But getting to see all these people in the same spot that we are is pretty cool.”

Audrey Escamilla, UT Tyler softball

“It’s been so cool, especially being in the same hotel with all the other teams and just being around all the other sports. It’s a good environment.”

Mary Kelly Mulcahy, Findlay golf

“I knew that it was a festival year, but I didn’t really know what that meant. It’s been really cool. Everything obviously is very decked out. It’s a huge production, and it feels really special. It’s been an experience that you don’t get anywhere else.”

Molly Shapiro, Tampa lacrosse

Photos courtesy of NCAA Photos