College Not Prepared for Transition to Division 1 Athletics, New A.D. Says

The college is not prepared for a transition from division 2 N.C.A.A. athletics to division 1, the new athletic director, Jo-Ann E. Nester, Ed.D., said in an interview with the Saint Anselm Crier sports editor, Brian Costain.

Dr. Nester cited budget and staffing levels as barriers to division 1, the highest level of N.C.A.A. competition.

“Based on budgets,” she said, “we’d have to make a substantial financial commitment. I'm not sure St. A’s is there.”

As is typical for division 2 schools, most coaches work part-time for the college. A move to full-time coaching would be beneficial for the college at its current level.

“It’s in the best interest of the students and institution that we eventually have full-time coaches,” she said. “I’d like to be more of a pace-setter for the D2 model.”

But most importantly, Dr. Nester does not forsee the college becoming a division 1 athletics program because it is not the character of the college.

“We have good facilities for D2, and good student-athletes who are good in class and successful on the field,” she said.

- gww