WASHINGTON - Gallaudet University athletics is proud to participate in the annual NCAA Division III Week (April 7-13) to celebrate the impact athletics and Bison student-athletes have on our campus and the surrounding community. GU is joining 429 Division III institutions and 42 voting conferences in this week's celebration.

To help focus on the many student-athletes that represent Gallaudet athletics we will spotlight several student-athletes each day this week that are on a GU 2024-25 Division III sport teams. 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 Gallaudet Athletic Communications Graduate Assistant Pia Garreffa.

Junior Nicole Hicks (Corona, Calif.) is a third-year student-athlete in the women's volleyball program. Hicks majors in Deaf Studies and minors in Linguistics and is expected to graduate in May 2026.

In My Own Words: Nicole Hicks (Women's Volleyball)

What is it like to be a student-athlete in college?
NH: Being a student-athlete is tough, but very rewarding. The commitment my team has to each other and to volleyball creates bonds unlike any other, and I constantly feel grateful for that. Although it is a huge time commitment, it's taught me a lot about what to prioritize and how to effectively stay busy.

What is it like to be a student-athlete at Gallaudet University?
NH: Gallaudet is pretty small but has a great athletics culture on campus. It's nice feeling like my campus community really cares about us, students and even professors will come out and support us at our games. Around campus, people know me because I play women's volleyball. That always fills me with a lot of pride and gratitude, being able to represent my school with a sport I'm so passionate about. 

What did it mean to you to win the conference championship on your own home court? 
NH: Winning the championship at home felt so unreal. The bleachers were packed, and having our whole community come out to watch us play was just incredible. People often underestimate our team because we don't speak out loud, so it's satisfying to be so dominant and play by our rules. The amount of work and time we all invested into the season really paid off, and it's hard to describe how great it feels.

How has being on the GU volleyball team changed you as a person?
NH: Gallaudet's women's volleyball team has changed me in ways that I cannot even begin to describe. My first year, I was a new signer, and the volleyball team really helped me blossom as a person, and get out of my shell. I feel more confident, more outgoing, and have so many friends because of the volleyball team here, which has opened so many opportunities for me. I owe so, so much of my growth to volleyball here and I feel so much love for my team!

2025 Division III Week Student-Athlete Spotlight: In My Words
Thursday: KaVargio Smith (Men's Track & Field) | Nicole Hicks (Women's Volleyball)
Wednesday: Stokely Karp (Men's Soccer) | Thea Wrenn (Women's Swimming)
Tuesday: Jay Yang (Men's Cross Country)
Monday: Kyle Florio (Men's Basketball) | Joy Watkins (Women's Track & Field)

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.