NCAA Division III Student Immersion Program | 2021 Division III Student Immersion Program Cohort
LEICESTER, Mass. – Becker senior baseball student-athletes and New Bedford, Mass. natives, Noah Rivera and Kevin Santiago, have been selected to participate in the 2021 NCAA Division III Student Immersion Program, as announced by the NCAA in early November.
The NCAA Division III Student Immersion program, held annually in conjunction with the NCAA Convention, initiated in 2015 to provide ethnic minority students, preferably upperclassmen, with a strong interest in a career in Division III athletics an opportunity to be exposed to Division III, its members, and governance process. This year's convention will be held virtually for the first time, and will take place from Jan. 13-15.
"On behalf of the Becker Baseball family, I would like to congratulate Kevin and Noah on this great honor," commented head baseball coach, Brian Kehew. "This experience will provide an invaluable look behind the scenes of the NCAA business operation."
The goal of the program 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.
"Diversity and inclusion are absolutely paramount in athletics and all fields," said Kehew. "The Immersion Program will help our young leaders to learn and better understand the importance of diversity and inclusion, both in the workplace, as well as all areas of life."
Rivera, an infielder and designated hitter on the baseball team was honored to get selected for this program, and projects this to be a great networking opportunity for him. "I am fortunate to be given this opportunity to participate in this event, knowing that I will be able to obtain so much knowledge and about working in college athletics and make connections, specifically at the Division III level."
Santiago, an outfielder for the Hawks baseball team felt a similar way, "I feel we will gather a great amount of knowledge within Division III athletics that we might not have known, and this program will overall be a benefit for all of its participants."
Aside from being student-athletes at Becker College, the duo took part in a Becker Athletics Sport Management Internship during their junior year, which perhaps sparked some interest in working in Division III athletics.
"As my time in college and being part of a sports team is coming to an end, I am not ready to let go of my involvement in athletics, and that is where my passion for sports and goal for working in athletics comes from," said Santiago. "When thinking about working within a Division III athletic department, I feel as if the opportunities are endless," noting the different areas of an athletic department that he learned about during his internship experience.
As Becker Athletics interns, Rivera and Santiago assisted with game-day operations and sports information, including setting up for game-day, operating the scoreboard, operating video cameras, taking photography, keeping statistics, and writing post-game press releases. The two also started their own channel, 'The Kev 'n Noah Show', and broadcasted select basketball games during the 2019-20 season.
"Kevin and Noah were eager to get involved and gain hands-on experience," said internship supervisor and Director of Athletic Operations at Becker College, Nikki Narducci. "They did everything and anything they could to get the most out of the internship. They both exceeded my expectations as interns, and I truly believe that a career in Division III athletics is in the cards for them in the future."
In addition to the Sport Management Internship, Rivera has worked for the Ocean State Waves, a summer collegiate baseball team in the New England Collegiate Baseball League as the Digital Marketing Manager where he managed social media accounts, put together media guides, and generated other digital content.
"For my future career goals I can definitely see myself working in sports, whether it is coaching or in administration at the Division III level," said Rivera. "The digital marketing aspect of sports has always interested me a lot because sports are becoming more and more technological."
"I also can see myself coaching because I have always wanted to give back to the younger generation the knowledge that I was given while growing up playing sports," added Rivera. "Seeing someone grow and reach/exceed their potential sports must be one of the best feelings ever as a coach."
Kehew commented on Rivera's character, "Noah's dedication to the sport of baseball and the NCAA philosophy has been evident from day one. He leads by example, but also challenges everyone around him to be their best."
Attesting to Santiago's character, "Kevin is a student-athlete who everyone looks up to. He carries himself as a professional on the field and in the classroom. He works hard at everything he does with unwavering positivity," said Kehew.
Kehew concluded, "Kevin and Noah represent everything a coach wants in their student-athletes and everything the NCAA stands for," stated Kehew. "The entire Becker community is extremely proud of these two. They have shown tremendous growth and leadership over the past four years. They will undoubtedly go on to highly successful careers where they will make great contributions to the athletic community."
Rivera and Santiago are the only two selected for the program from the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC), and are two of 11 from the New England region.
