SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Senior
Dionis Polanco of the Union College football team recently had the opportunity to attend the 2024 NCAA Convention in Phoenix on January 10-13 as part of the NCAA's Student Immersion Program.
Polanco was one of 40 Division III student-athletes from across the country to be selected for the program, which provides fully-funded access to attend the convention and gain exposure to Division III, its members and its governance process. The program caters to student-athletes passionate about delving into athletic administration or pursuing coaching careers, with the goal of building a pipeline of talented ethnic minority candidates to ultimately diversify the division.
"The first acknowledgment must go to our Director of Athletics, Jim McLaughlin," said Polanco. "His mentorship and unwavering support not only instilled confidence but paved the way for me to seize this fantastic opportunity. Thank you, Jim, for your tireless dedication to the student-athletes of Union College."
Over the course of four days, Polanco had the privilege of honing his networking skills, participating in the NCAA Issues Forum, attending conference meetings, and being part of the NCAA voting session. One highlight was witnessing the NCAA Woman of the Year award ceremony, where he saw Union College softball standout Karson Saunders '23 honored among the top 30 finalists.
Amidst a plethora of impactful programs, one stood out for Polanco: the DiSC workshop led by Athletic Director Ayanna Tweedy from the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. The interactive session unveiled the nuances of working styles under pressure.
"Ms. Tweedy skillfully created an environment where individuals from diverse backgrounds could unite towards a common goal, fostering collective awareness," explained Polanco.
Attending the Division III Issues Forum was an "eye-opening" experience for Polanco, shedding light on challenges faced by institutions nationwide and giving him a greater appreciation of the benefits enjoyed at Union College. Liberty League Commissioner Tracy King gave Polanco a seat at the conference's winter meeting, providing insights into conference scheduling, fiscal budgeting, and the intricate workings that are often overlooked by student-athletes. Alongside Senior Associate Director of Athletics Beth Tiffany, Polanco also got a glimpse of how Union articulates its stance on overarching issues at the Division III level.
One last highlight that left an "indelible mark" was attending the Saturday morning voting session.
"Delving into amendments to the Division III philosophy statement, contemplating changes to the national financial aid system, and witnessing the potential inclusion of stunt as an emerging sport brought a thrilling dimension to the conference," said Polanco. "Moreover, the empowerment of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee with voting rights on legislation impacting fellow student-athletes marked a significant stride forward. Go SAAC!"
For Polanco, his experience with the NCAA Immersion program was a transformative chapter of his college experience, weaving together learning, awareness, and the spirit of unity among student-athletes reaching for their dreams.
"Embarking on the 2024 immersion program was nothing short of an extraordinary journey," added Polanco. "As I reflect on this experience, gratitude fills me. I enjoyed every second of this amazing opportunity and I hope we can continue to empower and motivate student-athletes to apply for these grants and programs helping them get these experiences."
