WASHINGTON - Gallaudet University athletics is proud to participate in the 12th annual NCAA Division III Week (April 10-16) in an effort to celebrate the impact athletics and Bison student-athletes have on our campus and the surrounding community. GU is joining 439 Division III institutions and 44 voting conferences in this week's celebration.

To help focus on the many student-athletes that represent Gallaudet athletics we will spotlight two different student-athletes each day this week. You will learn more about them as they express their feelings on what it is like to be a Division III student-athlete here at Gallaudet. Interviews were conducted by the Gallaudet Sports Information Office.

Freshman Citrine Lummer (Fredrick, Md.) is a first-year student-athlete for the women's volleyball program. Lummer majors in physical education and recreation, plans to minor in sports management, and is expected to graduate Spring 2026.

In My Own Words: Citrine Lummer

Q: What is it like to be a student-athlete in college?
CL: It is a way different experience than high school. You could play several sports in high school for fun, but in college, it is a serious competitive playing level where you have to bring your best. Being a student-athlete in college will change your college experience in a good way, the feeling of pursuing your sports dream at a higher level can't be beaten.

Q: What is it like to be a student-athlete at Gallaudet University?
CL: Specifically, at Gallaudet University, where a deaf community exists, it definitely helped me to feel safe and comfortable here. Playing with most deaf teammates and some hearing players who can sign is the best feeling ever to be able to communicate in my first language, ASL. I have played with hearing players in club volleyball before, which was a struggle due to the language accessibility. Now at Gallaudet University, I can play volleyball, receive treatments, and understand my teammates/coaches easily. As a student here where everyone knows ASL is a plus. Also, I am in the honors program and was just selected to be in the national honor society which means I have to maintain my grades and GPA, and being here has helped me a lot since volleyball allows me to focus on school first.

Q: What are your goals after graduation, what do you hope to do in life?
CL: After graduation, I aim to bring the experience and education I have learned here to any deaf school. I hope to work as a physical education teacher and coach the sports team while providing those young student-athletes with the same experience I had growing up with. Eventually, in the end, I want to be an athletic director which was my dream since middle school. As for volleyball, I still want to train and go to the Deaflympics/World Championships because that is my dream too.

Q: You were selected for the United East all-conference second team this season, how did that recognition make you feel and will that motivate you for the upcoming season?
CL: It was a recognition I was not expecting, but I was humbly honored to be recognized, and it made me feel proud and worthy after all the work I have done my entire life. I was definitely surprised because it was my rookie season, and I still am learning so much. I will still keep striving and work harder to be a better player and teammate. In order to pursue a volleyball career in the future, I will continue to work hard.

Division III Week Student-Athlete Spotlight: In My Words
Sunday: Abdullah Alghamdi (Men's Swimming) | Lilan Nelson (Women's Track and Field)
Saturday: Kylar Sicoli (Football) | Olivia Anderson (Women's Cross Country)
Friday: Vershon Carter (Men's Soccer) | Hannah Puent (Women's Basketball) | Azarriyah McKinnon (Cheerleading)
Thursday: Joshua Bourne (Men's Track and Field) | Reza Mosher (Women's Soccer)
Wednesday: Darren Drolsbaugh (Baseball) | Amanda Chemutai (Women's Swimming)
Tuesday: Kyle D'Amore (Men's Cross Country | Danyeal Davis (Softball)
Monday: Enow Otto Jr. (Men's Basketball) | Citrine Lummer (Women's Volleyball)
 
About Division III Week
Division III Week is a positive opportunity for all individuals associated with Division III to observe and celebrate the impact of athletics and of student-athletes on the campus and surrounding community. During the week, every Division III school and conference office is encouraged to conduct a type of outreach activity that falls into one of three categories: academic accomplishment; athletic experience; or leadership/community service/campus involvement. For more information log onto https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2013/11/15/division-iii-week.aspx.
 
About Gallaudet
Gallaudet University, federally chartered in 1864, is a bilingual, diverse, multicultural institution of higher education that ensures the intellectual and professional advancement of deaf and hard of hearing individuals through American Sign Language and English. Gallaudet maintains a proud tradition of research and scholarly activity and prepares its graduates for career opportunities in a highly competitive, technological, and rapidly changing world. For more information about Gallaudet University please log onto www.gallaudet.edu and visit the Bison athletics homepage at www.gallaudetbison.com.