TACOMA, Wash. - Today kicks off the NCAA's annual celebration of NCAA Division III with D3Week. In honor of D3Week we asked our Pacific Lutheran University student-athletes what being a Division III student-athlete means in their own words.  
 
"Being a Division III student-athlete means you are hardworking, caring, smart, and determined. You love the sport you do but you also are committed to being a student. You are also a leader on and off the field, in and out of the pool, and you're willing to invest time in striving to better yourself as a teammate, student, and individual," said chemistry major and women's swimming student-athlete Victoria Nguyenle. 
 
"Division III is a place where I can thrive, and I'm encouraged to thrive, in two settings. Being a successful and disciplined student will give me the knowledge needed to make an impact in my career field. While being a successful and disciplined athlete will allow me to develop the skills and character needed to be an impactful individual in society," said kinesiology major and men's soccer student-athlete Jackson Moore. 
 
"Division III means getting the most out of your college experience. The competition in DIII is tough, but it doesn't require you to take anything out of your education to participate in a varsity sport. You get the benefits of the friends you make and the ability to continue playing a sport that you love without giving up your future," said business major and volleyball student-athlete Kristin Moniz.
 
"Division III means that I get to continue to play the sport I love, build lifelong relationships with a fun and loving team, as well as pursue and sustain a high academic performance," said biology major and women's soccer student-athlete Kelly Brown.
 
"Division III to me means the opportunity to study hard, and also compete hard at the same time. Being a D III athlete has allowed me to express my interests without having to pick and choose. DIII allows us to be involved in our community, and also be athletes for the sport we love," said social work major and women's basketball student-athlete Kristin Sturdivan. 
 
"It means school comes before sports however sports is still a huge part of my life," said kinesiology major and men's soccer student-athlete Simon Mayberry.
 
"Division III means an opportunity to compete at a high level, while also being able to excel in academics. I appreciate that we still have a competitive athletic experience at PLU in D3, but that I still have the chance to get good grades, have a job, and work with professors outside of class," said biology major and women's soccer student-athlete Ashton Huppert.

"Simply put, it means a student first and an athlete second," said computer science major and men's soccer student-athlete Mason Joe.
 
"It gives me the opportunity to compete in a competitive environment for the love of the sport," said business management and human resources major and men's swimming student-athlete Jeff Lozensky Jr.

"Division III means a school where I can focus on both soccer and school equally," said computer science major and men's soccer student-athlete DJ Joe.
 
Check back to GoLutes.com all week as we release more stories that celebrate the Division III experience.