President Glassner emphasizes College’s commitment to varsity athletics

Dear Members of the Lewis & Clark Community,

As fall semester gets underway, I am writing with some reflections and updates about Lewis & Clark’s varsity athletics program and our commitment to the mission and values of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III.

In contrast with the forms of collegiate sports that receive the most television and news exposure, Division III athletics are about participating, not spectating. This year, student-athletes make up 21% of our entering undergraduate class. (At Division I schools, typically only 4 percent of undergraduates participate in varsity athletics.)  At Lewis & Clark, our student-athletes are students first. Like all our students, they major across the disciplines, take part in a variety of student activities, and distinguish themselves in a range of pursuits. Their athletics experiences are not in conflict with or separate from their education but, rather, integrated into a holistic liberal arts experience.   

The Athletics Advisory Board is a college committee with responsibility for helping us advance the ideals and values of the Division III philosophy. The current membership includes Professors Keith Dede (Faculty Athletics Representative) and Rob Kugler (chair); Dean for Enrollment and Communications Lisa Meyer; Dean of Students Anna Gonzalez; baseball coach Tom Flynn; Student Athletics Advisory Council members Kory Anderson and Glenna Andrews; and Board of Trustees member Jay Waldron. Serving ex-officio are Athletics Director Shana Levine and Provost Jane Atkinson.

Our new athletics director joined us this summer after serving as the associate director of athletics at Washington & Lee in Lexington, Virginia for 6 years. Shana, who earned a JD at University of Pittsburgh, has also worked for the NCAA. Shana’s commitment to Division III athletics and the academic success of our students make her the ideal person to lead our athletics program. Another new face in Athletics this year is women’s basketball coach Asha Jordan. Coming to us from Occidental College, Asha is a bright coaching talent who is also strongly committed to the Division III philosophy. Shana and Asha join a strong group of colleagues who are dedicated to our students’ education and growth during their college years.

In closing, I want to thank all of you who support our student-athletes by taking an interest in their athletics commitment and attending their games when you can. Your support means a great deal to them. Please check the calendar of events on the Athletics webpage for schedules, and make a point of attending some competitions this year.

Best regards,

Barry