In celebration of the 50th anniversary of NCAA Division III, we asked some of our University of Rochester coaches about coaching and competing at the Division III level.
 
Sam Albert enters his 15th year as the Yellowjackets' Director of Track & Field and Cross Country. A 2001 graduate of UR with a degree in biology, Albert was a six-time conference champion as a sprinter and hurdler, a two-year team captain and held three school records at the time of his graduation.
 
Established in 1973, Division III provides an equitable and inclusive environment for student-athletes to take responsibility for their own paths, follow their passions and discover their potential through a comprehensive educational experience. The NCAA Division III's 50th Anniversary celebration began on Aug. 6, 2023, and will continue through the 2023-24 academic year.

1. Why'd you choose DIII, first as an athlete, and now as a coach?

I was not a highly-decorated athlete coming out of high school, so truthfully athletics didn't play a huge role in my original college decision. The University of Rochester turned out to be a perfect fit for me academically, and once I decided to enroll at the school I reached out to the track & field coach and asked if I could join the team. So I was a "walk-on" athlete, in the truest sense of the term. But my time as a student-athlete had such an incredible impact on my overall experience as an undergraduate, and looking back I was extremely fortunate that my ideal school also provided an opportunity for me to continue my athletic career. When I decided to pursue a career in college athletics, I did have some experience working at a major Division I athletic program (the University of North Carolina). While I appreciated getting to see DI athletics up close and I cherish my time spent at UNC, I was eventually drawn back to Division III because I believe schools at this level tend to strike a more ideal balance between athletics and academics.

2. What are some of your favorite things about coaching at the Division III level?

My favorite aspect of coaching at the Division III level is the emphasis that is put on the student-athlete experience. Division III athletic programs are not too concerned with providing entertainment or generating revenue, pressures that are often front and center at Division I schools. So I believe we're able to offer a more "pure" version of what intercollegiate athletics should be about – providing a great competitive experience that helps our student-athletes grow and learn, but that also allows them to have fun, pursue their academic goals and have a truly well-rounded college experience.

3. How have you seen Division III change over the years?

In our sports of Track & Field and Cross Country, I have watched Division III become objectively stronger, deeper and more competitive throughout the time that I have been a student-athlete and coach.  As the Division III membership has grown over the past 25 years, the performances that we're seeing at the national level have been incredible. Athletes are dropping times and marks that would have been unheard of in the 1980s and 1990s, and prospective athletes are often amazed when we show them what it takes to be competitive at the national level in Division III. More generally, I have watched our division continue to grow in terms of the number of member schools, and have seen many Division III schools (including Rochester!) make major investments in coaching support, facility upgrades, and recruiting.  It's inspiring and it definitely keeps our student-athletes and coaches motivated, as we see the competitive level continue to rise all around us.

4. Why should prospective athletes consider DIII and the University of Rochester?

I am obviously biased, but I genuinely believe that Rochester offers the perfect balance of competitive athletics and world-class academics, and we have coaches, administrators, and University leadership who are truly committed to providing a first-class athletic experience that supports the educational mission of the University.  Through our conference affiliations, our student-athletes also get lots of opportunities to compete against schools that share our commitment to the D-III philosophy, which is really special as well.