Dear NCAC Families,

Welcome to another exciting year of North Coast Athletic Conference athletics! Whether you're new to the NCAC or returning for another season, we're thrilled to have you in our community. Across our nine member schools - Denison, DePauw, John Carroll, Kenyon, Oberlin, Ohio Wesleyan, Wabash, Wittenberg, and Wooster, and four affiliate members: Allegheny, Earlham, Transylvania, Washington & Jefferson - there's a sense of anticipation this time of year as student-athletes return to campus, teams begin to train, and the fall season gets underway.

This past year was a remarkable one for the NCAC. Our programs continued to shine at the highest levels of Division III competition, and we were proud to celebrate two national championships, a reflection of the excellence that permeates our campuses. In addition to national success, every one of our member institutions fields highly competitive programs, and our student-athletes consistently demonstrate the commitment, discipline, and heart it takes to perform at a high level.

But the NCAC experience is about much more than wins and titles. What sets Division III - and our conference - apart is the way we combine high-level competition with a focus on personal growth, leadership, and academic achievement. Our student-athletes are deeply involved in campus life, excelling in the classroom while building lasting skills through their athletic journeys. They face challenges, celebrate wins big and small, and learn valuable lessons about resilience, accountability, and collaboration. That's what the NCAC is all about: the opportunity to compete at a high level while growing in every part of life.

As the Executive Director I've seen firsthand how the Division III model helps young people grow in meaningful ways. On the field, they're pushed to excel as competitors and teammates. Off the field, they're encouraged to lead, reflect, and navigate challenges independently. We believe this balance is at the heart of what makes college athletics so powerful; and we know your students will add to that legacy in their own unique way.

We also recognize and deeply value the role you play as parents, and family members. Your support, encouragement, and involvement—from cheering in the stands, to supporting team culture and community—are vital parts of your student's experience. We hope you'll find that being part of the NCAC brings not only pride, but also meaningful connections with other families and a deeper bond with your student's journey.

At the same time, one of the most meaningful parts of college athletics is seeing students take full ownership of their time here. We believe it's essential, especially when it comes to communication with coaches, working through challenges, and advocating for themselves. These are skills that will serve them well far beyond the playing field, and we believe strongly in giving student-athletes space to develop them. If your student has questions or concerns, we encourage them to speak directly with their coach or the appropriate campus staff who are always there to listen and support.

For larger issues, whether it's about health, compliance, or safety, each of our campuses has experienced professionals ready to help, and the conference office is always happy to point you in the right direction.

As a conference, we're working closely with campuses to promote respectful behavior and accountability in positive ways. These are shared efforts, and we appreciate your partnership in reinforcing those expectations both from home and when visiting our campuses. We want everyone to cheer for their teams, but we do not want negative attention paid to opponents, nor do we tolerate singling out any individuals on the field, whether that's opposing players, coaches or officials.
 
As the new year unfolds, I hope you have the chance to watch your student compete, connect with other families, and take pride in all they're learning and achieving. Each team, each campus, and each student add something special to the NCAC, and we couldn't be prouder of this family we've built.

Thank you for being part of the NCAC family. We're looking forward to a great year—and we're so glad you're with us for it.

Warmly,

Keri Alexander Luchowski
Executive Director
North Coast Athletic Conference