EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) - UW-Eau Claire is celebrating National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III Week Monday, April 8 through Sunday, April 14.

Division III Week is a positive opportunity for all individuals associated with a Division III institution to observe and celebrate the impact of athletics and of student-athletes on the campus and surrounding community.

Annually, more than 500 students at UW-Eau Claire and more than 175,000 nation-wide can call themselves Division III student-athletes. Passion and sportsmanship are attributes of the student-athlete in the Division III. The student-athlete plays for the love of the game, strives for excellence in all facets of life and perseveres through adversity.

Division III schools realize that the classroom is the primary setting for preparing student-athletes. However, Division III also understands that academics are more than just grade point averages (GPA), test scores and majors – it is a comprehensive learning experience that develops successful leaders and professionals.

Citizenship and responsibility are Division III attributes. Student-athletes giving back not only adds to the comprehensive learning components of Division III, but also provides a venue for passion and service. UW-Eau Claire student-athletes give back to the community each year in numerous ways and have been recognized four times with a NADIIIAA/Jostens Community Service Award, most recently for the 2011-12 season.

Video From NCAA President Mark Emmert