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 Vershon Carter (Chicago, Ill.) is a first-year student-athlete with the men's soccer program. Carter majors in physical education and recreation and is expected to graduate in Spring 2024.

In My Own Words: Vershon Carter

Q: What is it like to be a student-athlete in college?
VC: Being a student-athlete can be stressful at times, I have to utilize time management everyday in order to meet deadlines. But with my major being PER I am always around sports so being a student-athlete is also beneficial with applying knowledge to my sport from the class. 
 
Q: What is it like to be a student-athlete at Gallaudet University?
VC: Being a student-athlete at Gallaudet is relatively easy. I have plenty of time to do homework in between classes and practice. I am able to still find time to have my own life outside of being a student-athlete.
 
Q: What are your goals after graduation, what do you hope to do in life?
VC: My goal after graduation is to work either as a coach for soccer or basketball or as a fitness instructor. What I hope to do in life is to make other's lives better and healthier by helping them incorporate working out into their daily life.
 
Q: Is there a coach or athlete that you look up to as a role model and why?
VC: The athlete that I look up to is Derrick Rose because of how he was able to bounce back after every injury. I look at that as continuing on even when things don't go your way, and to believe in yourself when no one else does.
 
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.