Widener University Athletics

Widener University's athletic teams compete at the NCAA Division III intercollegiate level, and the University places the highest priority on the overall quality of the educational and athletic experiences. The Pride compete as a member of the Middle Atlantic Conference, the oldest and largest conference in the nation. The University sponsors 25 varsity sports - 13 for men and 12 for women.

As a NCAA Division III member, Widener awards financial aid based on need only and may not give athletic scholarships. However, Widener does offer academic scholarships and urges all applicants to visit the Financial Aid office early in the application process in order to take advantage of all funding possibilities. To learn more about Widener's athletic programs, visit the individual team pages by going back to the main athletics page.

 

Widener University Athletics Mission Statement

We aspire to be a nationally-recognized athletic department with an enduring commitment to attract support and cultivate student-athletes of scholarship, character, and leadership. We promote a socially diverse, highly competitive environment, enhancing the student-athletes’ living and learning experience while engaging in both civic and campus activities.


 

Widener University Athletics Philosophies

Philosophies that guide the day-to-day activity of the Widener University Athletic Department include:

• Support the academic mission of the University and to balance the academic and athletic lives of our student-athletes.
• Provide equitable athletic opportunities for males and females to try-out and/or participate within University sponsored athletic programs.
• Strive for competitive excellence in intercollegiate sports. Encourage fair play, sportsmanship and positive social attitudes, and health and wellness.
• Schedule a majority of opponents with other members of the Middle Atlantic Conference and regional NCAA Division III colleges and universities, who espouse similar athletic and academic principles.
• Support exceptional teams and individuals through participation in postseason championships.
• Foster relationships and engage the local area by sponsoring community service projects for each athletic team.
• Provide an intercollegiate athletics environment that is socially diverse and gender equitable.

 

NCAA Division III Philosophy

Colleges and universities in Division III place the highest priority on the overall quality of an educational experience and the successful completion of all student-athletes’ academic programs. They seek to establish and maintain an environment in which a student-athlete’s athletics activities are conducted as an integral part of their educational experience. They also seek to establish and maintain an environment that values cultural diversity and gender equity among their student-athletes and athletics staff.

To achieve this end, Division III institutions:

• Place special importance on the impact of athletics on the participants rather than on the spectators, and place greater emphasis on the internal constituency (students, alumni, institutional personnel) than on the general public and its entertainment needs
• Award no athletically-related financial aid to any student; Encourage the development of sportsmanship and positive societal attitudes in all constituents, including student-athletes, coaches, administrative personnel, and spectators
• Encourage participation by maximizing the number and variety of athletics opportunities for their students
• Assure that the actions of coaches and administrators exhibit fairness, openness, and honesty in their relationships with student-athletes
• Assure that athletics participants are not treated differently from other members of the student body
• Assure that athletics programs support the institution's educational mission by financing, staffing, and controlling the programs through the same general procedures as other departments of the institution
• Assure that athletics recruitment complies with established institutional policies and procedures applicable to the admissions process
• (Adopted: 1/12/04 effective 8/1/04) Provide equitable athletics opportunities for males and females and give equal emphasis to men's and women's sports
• Support ethnic and gender diversity for all constituents
• (Adopted: 1/12/99) Give primary emphasis to regional in-season competition and conference championships
• Support student-athletes in their efforts to reach high levels of athletics performance, which may include opportunities for participation in national championships, by providing all teams with adequate facilities, competent coaching, and appropriate competitive opportunities.

The purpose of the NCAA is to assist its members in developing the basis for consistent, equitable competition, while minimizing infringement on the freedom of individual institutions to determine their own special objectives and programs. The above statement articulates principles that represent a commitment to Division III membership and shall serve as a guide for the preparation of legislation by the division and for planning and implementation of programs by institutions and conferences.
© The National Collegiate Athletic Association