Pratt Institute’s Cannoneers will now be competing as full members of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III. The acceptance was recently announced by the NCAA III Membership Committee. This makes Pratt eligible to compete against over 400 Division III institutions around the country and participate in NCAA Championships. Pratt is one of the few schools in the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD) to offer intercollegiate athletics at this level.
“We have proven over the years that art, design, and architecture students can excel in the classroom and on the playing surface,” said Walter Rickard, director of athletics and recreation. “I am so inspired by the work ethic and dedication demonstrated season after season by our student-athletes. This milestone is a testament to the level of excellence that is found at Pratt Institute. We will continue to build upon the foundation that has been set.”
The membership will be effective on September 1 and follows Pratt’s acceptance for provisional membership in 2019 after one year of exploratory membership. The five-year process was initiated to expand the opportunities for students in Pratt’s athletics programs, which include basketball, cross country, soccer, tennis, indoor and outdoor track, and volleyball. Pratt currently sponsors 14 NCAA intercollegiate programs and is a member of the Coast to Coast Conference (C2C), with men’s volleyball being a member of the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC). With the new membership, Pratt will have an active vote at the NCAA Convention each January.
As the NCAA Division III focuses on athletics as part of a well-rounded academic experience, its goals align with Pratt’s rich history of promoting athletic participation to enhance a creative education.