Indianapolis - Marywood University senior Hayley Gaines was one of 40 student-athletes selected for the NCAA Division III Student Immersion Program. A four-year standout on the women's cross country and track and field programs, Gaines will attend the 2024 NCAA Convention in Phoenix on Jan. 9-12.
In 2015, at the recommendation of the Division III Diversity and Inclusion Working Group, the Division III governance staff and the NCAA Office of Inclusion partnered on a new program that brought 40 ethnic minority students to the NCAA Convention. The selected students are fully funded to attend the Convention, and they are exposed to Division III, its members and its governance process. In addition to the scheduled Division III programming, grant recipients receive DiSC training, and attend welcome and debrief meetings. The goal is to build a pipeline of talented ethnic minority candidates, with an interest in Division III coaching and/or administration, in an effort to ultimately diversify the division.
The Division III Student Immersion Program is held annually in conjunction with the NCAA Convention. Ethnic minority students, preferably juniors and seniors, with a strong interest in a career in Division III athletics (coaching and/or administration) are encouraged to apply.
In Arizona, Gaines will have an opportunity to network with administrators across all three divisions while getting an inside look into Atlantic East operations. Gaines is the first Marywood student-athlete to earn this opportunity.Â
Originally hailing from Madison, Wisc., Gaines is currently pursuing a major in interior architecture. She has led her Pacers squads to five Atlantic East Conference team championships. In 2022, Gaines earned the distinction of being named the Atlantic East Cross Country Runner of the Year and secured a pair of gold medals in the 800m and 4x400m relay on the track. Furthermore, Gaines is a two-time recipient of the Atlantic East Elite 20 award, recognizing her for achieving the highest cumulative GPA at the finals competition.
Within the realm of interior architecture, Hayley has actively engaged in mentorship programs with Marywood's underclassmen and contributed to teaching opportunities with local elementary school students. Combined with her position as a team captain in cross country and track, her drive to guide her peers and create welcoming spaces has ultimately led her to consider coaching as a part of her future. Hayley is eager to connect with athletics professionals who share her enthusiasm and to expand her knowledge about Division III athletics.
