Division III athletics has played an integral role for three of our coaches who actually played Division III sports. Men's and women's soccer coach Bill O'Neill, played centerback for Rowan University (N.J.). Men's basketball coach, Sean Westerlund, played soccer, basketball, and baseball for Lancaster Bible (Pa.). Men's lacrosse coach, Jack Crawford, played Division III soccer for Johns Hopkins University (Md.). All three coaches spoke on their experience as student-athletes and now their exepriences with coaching at the level they once played at.
Bill O'Neill, Associate Director of Athletics and Head Men's and Women's Soccer Coach
Question 1: What drew you to the Division III level as a player and the school you attended?
BO: The ability to make an impact and contribution to the team in a family oriented environment. Its a brotherhood that is part of my life still to this day.
SW: For me, the Division III level allowed me to continue to play multiple sports at a high level. I was a three sport athlete in high school and wanted to play all three in college. Lancaster Bible provided that opportunity with a chance to really be a part of the building process in all of the programs. Academically, it was a smooth transition with smaller class sizes and teachers who really took time to invest into my academic journey.
JC: I had actually already been recruited to play lacrosse at a couple other DIII schools before I met the soccer coach at Johns Hopkins. The opportunity to play both soccer and lacrosse at the college level (although Hopkins Lacrosse plays at the DI level) and to attend a school with the academic reputation Hopkins presents was an opportunity I couldn't turn down. I was very fortunate to attend JHU and have always felt it had a profound impact on my life.
Question 2: What was your favorite memory as a Division III student athlete?
BO: Winning the 1990 NCAA Div 3 Men's Soccer National Championship
SW: My favorite memory from my playing days was definitely my junior year of soccer. The team was a really connected group. Our starting eleven was all juniors and seniors. We had been through the trenches together. You saw the growth as a group and we achieved a lot as that season. Probably my favorite individual memory from that year was when we played in the East Region championship against Cairn University. I scored the game winning penalty kick goal to send us to the national tournament. It was a surreal moment I got to share with my twin brother and my mother who was there in the stands.
JC: Having the chance to be part of a program building process in Men's Soccer that saw us improve the quality and competitiveness of our play every year, culminating in an NCAA Tournament berth my senior year.
Question 3: What do you love the most about coaching at the Division III level?
BO: I love the process, I love watching my student athletes growth from an immature 18-year old to a productive person of character ready to make a difference in the world.
SW: I have spent nine of the last twelve years as either student-athlete or coach at the D3 level. I think the beauty of this level is how competitive the play is while also still being able to pursue other passions. The balance between academic, athletic, and social is really unique to our level and I love seeing my guys being able to have a really rewarding experience because of that balance.
JC: The fact that DIII sports are viewed as an extension of the academic and overall experience a student has. DIII sports are viewed as a valuable extension of the college experience, not as an exclusive and secluded entity without much, if any, connection to the student body.
Sean Westerlund, Head Men's Basketball Coach and Sports Information Director
Question 4: What do you see as the advantages of playing at the Division III level for a prospective recruit?
BO: The opportunity to compete at the college level with the ability to manage your day and learn skills to become independent.
SW: I think the biggest advantage is the academic side of things. Our student-athletes can take challenging majors, get amazing internships, and explore different academic interests while still having a really competitive athletic experience. I know for us at Bryn Athyn our students can start their internship experience the third trimester of their freshman year. That's major because while you can play the sport you love, you can still set yourself up for your future once the ball stops rolling.
JC: Because DIII sports are an extension of the education experience, student-athletes are expected to attend to their academics as much, if not more than, their athletic pursuits. With a more limited time commitment, it is easier for students to be drawn into the fabric of their school and experience their college from more than just the perspective of athletics, but from the real vantage point of the typical student.
Question 5: What is your favorite memory as a coach at the Division III level?
BO: In our second year of the programs existence, October 31st, 2017, when the women's program beat Lancaster Bible in Penalty Kicks to advance to the semifinals of the NEAC playoffs. Making Bryn Athyn College Athletics history by being the first program to win a post season conference game.
SW: My favorite memory as a coach at the D3 level was the 2018-19 season at Hood College when the program made playoffs for the first time in four years and secured the first MACC home playoff game in program history after beating first place Arcadia University for senior day in the final regular season game of the season.
JC: Having the chance to build at every program I've been associated with, whether it was helping an individual improve the quality of a student-athlete's play or helping to develop a unit or team maximize its ability to be successful, on and off the field.
Question 6: What was the last show you binged on a streaming service?
BO: Ted Lasso
SW: I recently watched Last Chance U: Basketball on Netflix. Absolutely loved it. Loved how the show really explored the stories within that program.
JC: None. Not a big TV watcher.
Question 7: What song or album is on repeat for you?
BO: Sympathy for the Devil, Teenage Wasteland, Welcome to the Jungle, all of our walk out songs for pre game warm ups. And of course We are the Champions!!
SW: Rod Wave's new album has been on repeat for me lately and I gotta throw in Drake's Scary Hours 2 as well.
JC: "Hush" – Deep Purple
Jack Crawford, Head Men's Lacrosse Coach
Question 8: Who was the most meaningful coach through your journey as a student-athlete or coach?
BO: My Aunt Carol Griffin was and still is the most meaningful person in my journey. Her coaching style taught me how to build relationships with my players and teammates, relationships that last a lifetime.
SW: I have been blessed to have many people come along side me in my journey and really push me to be the version of myself. I would say the most influential people as a student-athlete and coach would be Luke Gibson who is currently the head men's soccer coach at Cairn University. He helped recruit me to LBC and really invested into my life and who I was as a person. He will always be my coach, but that relationship has really developed into a big brother-little brother relationship. I talk to him everyday about anything from recruiting to marriage advice. I am grateful to have him in my life. For my coaching journey, I have to show love to my old boss Chad Dickman at Hood College. We spent four years together and he taught me so much about what it is to build a successful program, what those processes look like, and was a big influence on my X's and O's as a coach. Lucky to have him as a friend and mentor.
JC: My father and my college lacrosse coach, Don Zimmerman.
Question 9: Favorite athlete of all time?
BO: Mike Schmidt, Phillies Best 3rd baseman of all time. He was such a great competitor and handle himself with such class all the time. If you ever get a chance to see his retirement speech you will understand.
SW: My favorite athlete of all time has to be Allen Iverson. Just a straight dog. I remember watching him during his MVP season as a nine year old with my older brother and just loving how competitive he was. I still remember where I was when I watched him step over Tyronn Lue in the NBA Finals game. I loved how unapologetically he was himself. He was a trailblazer and one of the most influential players to ever touch a basketball.
JC:
Joe Namath, former QB, New York Jets
Lynn Swann, former WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
Todd Christiansen, former TE, Oakland Raiders
Question 10: What and why do you champion about Division III level?
BO: Development, competing in athletics and being part of a team teaches you all the tools you need to be successful in achieving your goals.
SW: I think for me I champion the Division III level because one what it has done for my life. Two, I think it allows for this unique connection and relationships with a variety of people. It's not to say that connection can't happen at scholarship levels, but having experienced that life changing connection and the opportunities I have gotten as a student-athlete and a coach at the Division III level is why I champion D3.
JC: Student-Athletes competing at the DIII level are very fortunate in having the chance to play sports for the sheer enjoyment of playing that sport. The expectation placed on DIII athletes assumes that they'll be fully drawn onto the fabric of their college in every way: athletically, socially, and academically. That makes the college experience extremely enjoyable and well worth the commitment.