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.

Sophomore Lilian Nelson (Minneapolis, Minn.) is a second-year student-athlete with the women's track & field program and women's soccer. Nelson majors in linguistics with a focus in German and French sign languages and is expected to graduate in Spring 2024.

In My Own Words: Lilian Nelson

Q: What is it like to be a student-athlete in college?
LN: I started to compete on the high school gymnastics team in middle school. With having very competitive teams in high school has helped that transition to playing in college easier. 
 
Q: What is it like to be a student-athlete at Gallaudet University?
LN: To be honest it's not different from what I'm already doing. Since we have only soccer, I was planning on only playing soccer in college, while having a presence still in the gymnastics world. I wanted to continue to flip so I joined track for pole vaulting then that led me to also throw javelin and discus. I love competing and the adrenaline rush of it all.
 
Q: What are your goals after graduation, what do you hope to do in life?
LN: My goals after graduation are to continue to coach in gymnastics and soccer. I will continue to pursue tailoring, and other opportunities I can get within the fashion industry. Lastly, to continue research in linguistics specifically within signed languages.
 
Q: How do you manage with your commitments by playing two sports; soccer and track & field?
LN: It's not much different from high school, being a two-sport athlete in gymnastics and soccer year round. Having a solid routine really helps since I am a heavy procrastinator. The time I have while I am not in class or training is the time to actually get stuff done. With that being said it helps me to stay on top of what I need to do.

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.