General 2/22/2026 2:22:00 PM Information compiled by Zach Nicholas and Braden Golisek

Celebrate 'DII Day' With NMU Athletics!

MARQUETTE, Mich. -- Celebrated annually on February 22 (2/22) at 2:22 p.m. ET, 'DII Day' allows us to celebrate the impact of athletics and student-athletes at our campus at the Division II level.

Division II has always sought to make a positive impact through local community engagement. Division II schools and conferences foster a balanced and inclusive approach for student athletes in which community engagement plays a key part in the educational experience. The DII Day initiative is a great opportunity for student-athletes, coaches, and athletics administrators to connect with the communities that cheer them on and show that the passionate support goes both ways.

Being a Division II student athlete means something different to everyone who has the opportunity to compete, but there are some notable consistencies within the answers: Balancing both athletics and academics highlights that being a Division II athlete is not just about sports, but holistic growth as well. Learning the importance of commitment, discipline, and work ethic promotes perseverance within everyday life, on the field, and in the classroom. Growth in character, mental toughness, resilience, and maturity in athletics can be a tool for life skills, not just sports performance.

It's not just about winning games; it's about learning valuable life lessons, leadership skills, and becoming a well-rounded individual.

"Being a Division II student-athlete at Northern means being able to compete fully at a high level while also pursuing excellence in the classroom," says women's soccer player Marena Maceroni, who just finished her sophomore season this fall, and set career highs in almost every statistical category. "It is more than just showing up on game day wearing a Northern jersey, but rather representing my university, my teammates, and a program built before me. Every day, I show up consistently, whether at practice, in the weight room, on the bus, in the community, or in the classroom. I am grateful and blessed that I am able to play the sport I love while pursuing a degree I am passionate about. The commitment that I make to both of these pursuits complements each other, allowing me to develop into a well-rounded individual. As a biology major with a concentration in physiology, I balance the demands of Division II athletics with a rigorous academic curriculum. Balancing classes with athletics has taught me discipline, time management, and determination in a way I have never been taught before. These moments when I am feeling overwhelmed have built mental toughness and perseverance, and in other words, grit, which is something that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Grit shows up at practice the day after a tough loss, in staying focused during away weekends while studying for an exam, and in choosing to give full effort both in the classroom and on the field. That same perseverance fuels my goal of becoming a physician assistant. As the journey to PA school is competitive and demanding, competing at the Division II level has prepared me to embrace these challenges. Being a student athlete at Northern has shaped me into someone who strives to lead by example and remains committed to growth. The grit that I have developed on the field and in the classroom will carry with me into healthcare, where all of these characteristics will be essential."

"Being a Division II student-athlete is one of my largest life accomplishments," adds Evie DeCarlo, a four-year senior with the women's swim and dive program who just recently earned three medals and aided the swim team to a second-place finish at the GLIAC Championships. "Growing up, one of my goals was to compete at the collegiate level, and earning that opportunity took a lot of commitment. I had to work hard to earn my spot and then work even harder to keep that spot and continue improving. I also believe being a Division II athlete means having the discipline to push yourself in and out of the sport. Making sure to balance academics, athletics, and personal growth. Division two athletes are resilient, dedicated, and strong workers."

DeCarlo being celebrated on senior day.

"Being a Division II student-athlete means a lot to me because it allows me to balance both my athletics and academics," adds Ella DeBruyn, a sophomore mid-distance runner from Traverse City, Michigan, on the track and field team. "I'm really grateful for the opportunity to compete at a high level while still focusing on my education and other parts of my life. Being a DII athlete pushes me to work hard, stay disciplined, and manage my time well, and it's helped me grow both as a runner and as a student."

"Being a Division II student-athlete means having the opportunity to pursue both my academic and athletic goals at a high level," says Mya Snyder, a team captain for lacrosse in her fourth season with the Wildcats. "It challenges me every day, and I feel like it has helped me grow so much as both a student and athlete. This school has also given me the chance to build meaningful relationships with my teammates, coaches, and the community, which is something I truly value.

"Being a Division II student-athlete means a lot to me," adds men's soccer player Davian Gumbs, who recorded both career-high minutes and games played during the Wildcats historic 2025 season. "It has shown that the work that I have put in to be able to play at this level has paid off, while also being able to pursue the career that I would like to move into after my college career is over."

Gumbs with the GLIAC Tournament trophy and his championship medal after the GLIAC Championship game.

"Being a Division II student-athlete is something I have always strived for. My sisters have played golf here over the years, and I am grateful for the opportunity to follow in their footsteps at NMU," adds Abbie Pietila, who is a sophomore on the NMU golf team. Fellow sophomore teammate, Levi Pennala, adds, "It's really cool to represent a school and a community at a very competitive level."

"Being a Division II student-athlete means being hardworking and disciplined in all categories of life, while staying focused on the future and balancing sports and academics," said Reide Osterman, a four-year member of the women's basketball team. "You learn a lot about yourself along the way, and you grow in so many ways."

Four-year football offensive lineman and All-GLIAC Second Teamer Daniel Babcock added, "For me, being a D2 college student-athlete means that I have accomplished my childhood dreams of playing college sports while also displaying unwavering levels of commitment and resilience to achieve my standing and success in my sport."

Being a Division II student athlete means that I can fully be a student as well as an athlete," stated Sydney Bartels, a three-year member of the volleyball program and College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District honoree. "It allows me to have a space to grow in all aspects of my life, not just my sport. I have been able to dive deeply into being a student and athlete, along with having space to develop in my spiritual and personal life."

Bartels preparing to receive a serve.

"To me, being a Division II athlete means setting the standard for the future of women's wrestling," said wrestling standout Sophia Bassino, who recently finished third in the Regional Qualifier to advance to the NCAA Championships. "As the sport continues to grow, I am incredibly grateful for the chance to represent a Division II program and contribute to that progress by helping build greater recognition, respect, and opportunities for the next generation."

"Being a Division II student-athlete means carrying the pride of the jersey every day, embracing the unique opportunity to compete at an elite level while building a foundation for my future," said Baux Truckey, a junior on the track & field team who just helped set the school record in the 4000m DMR this month.

The phrase "Life in the Balance" shows up frequently in Division II materials. It's not just a mantra, but a way of life for Division II members who believe that a balanced approach is the best for the student-athlete college experience. The motto emerged in the mid-2000s when the division, as a way to encourage membership growth, sought to better define itself among the menu of intercollegiate options for prospective student-athletes, as well as for current student-athletes and the thousands of administrators, coaches, and staff at DII schools.

Six key attributes emerged from that analysis and now define the unique nature of Division II: Learning, Service, Passion, Sportsmanship, Resourcefulness, and Balance. And because of its six-sided shape, the hexagon was adopted to graphically represent the collection of attributes. "Life in the Balance" defines the philosophical foundation that represents the Division II story. It captures multiple facets of the Division II student-athlete experience: comprehensive learning and academic development, high-level athletics competition, and community engagement.

"The 'Life in the Balance' philosophy is valuable to me because it means that I need to commit to excellence in every aspect of my life, not just as an athlete," adds Maceroni. "As a student, teammate, future healthcare provider, and capable person, I am required to maintain a high standard in all areas of my life. Balancing the rigorous academic curriculum, competing at the Division II level, being involved in research at the Upper Michigan Brain Tumor Center, and participating in many organizations around campus, such as the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and the Student Leader Fellowship Program, requires intentional time management, discipline, and sacrifice. My days are filled with practice, lift, labs, studying, and exams. "Life in the Balance" means prioritizing all these activities without losing sight of my long-term goal of becoming a Physician Assistant. The success in the classroom and extracurriculars strengthens my future as a physician assistant, while success in the field builds the grit, leadership, and resilience that will shape the way that I treat patients and my relationships with others. Ultimately, 'Life in the Balance' will shape me into a well-rounded individual who can perform under pressure, serve others, and stay grounded. It reflects the discipline to manage competing demands and the maturity to understand that each role contributes to the person and professional I am becoming."

Maceroni on media day with her GLIAC Championship ring.

"In college, being able to balance all your responsibilities as a student-athlete is one of the most challenging experiences," adds DeCarlo. "I think it is important for every student-athlete to take time for themselves and figure out what balancing means to them. Figuring out a healthy schedule between academics, athletics, and personal activities is the key to success in college. I also am a firm believer in self-care and recognizing when you may need to step back for a second and give yourself a mental break."

For DeBruyn, the Life in the Balance philosophy means that "As a Division II athlete, I can have a life that is integrated into my athletics, balancing both academic and personal life on top of being an athlete."

"To me, the 'Life in the Balance' philosophy means being able to fully commit to both academics and athletics while also growing as a person outside of those roles," says Snyder. "It represents the idea that success is not measured by wins or grades, but instead by qualities such as time management, discipline, and the ability to build meaningful relationships. 'Life in Balance' reminds me that I am more than just an athlete; I am a student, a teammate, and a future professional, and each of those roles matters equally."

Snyder's signature 'leap-frog' starter introduction before every game.

"The life in balance philosophy means that I can manage my surroundings and all the stress that comes with being a student athlete," adds Gumbs. "Being able to perform in the classroom and on the field, but also making sure that I have time to relax and enjoy my time, is a big part of keeping myself focused and motivated."

"As a student athlete, whether it's traveling and having to miss a lot of classes or keeping up with day-to-day commitments, having a good balance between productivity and enjoyment is important," adds Pietila. Teammate Pennala has a similar point of view, adding, "balancing my school, athletics, and life has been a great lesson that I've learned throughout my time in Division II."

"To me, Life in the Balance means to always allow time for myself and hobbies I like to do outside of my sport and academics," added Osterman. " It's very important to allow that time for yourself because we aren't athletes forever, and what defines you isn't being an athlete, it's being a well-rounded person. To have a balance between things you enjoy doing and allowing yourself that piece of constant happiness is very important."

Osterman volunteering with 'Little Dribblers'.

"You have to sacrifice to achieve your goals, and you need to find time to balance hectic schedules and commitments to grow as a person, student, and athlete," Babcock would add.

"The Life in the Balance philosophy means having an equal amount of time to be able to spend within all facets of my life," noted Bartels. "It is time to pour into my sport, academics, faith, and social life. To be able to enjoy all aspects that fill me and make me into who I am, while allowing my mind and body time to relax and recover. This philosophy helps me to remember that it is not just about the outcome but about how we get there and treat ourselves throughout the process. "

"Life in the Balance is understanding that nothing is perfect," Bassino explained. "It's about being adaptable, taking one step at a time, and focusing on what matters most. Some days will be more challenging than others, and that's okay. Life in the Balance means doing whatever you can to be the best version of yourself."

Turkey added, "Being a DII athlete allows for balance not just as an athlete but as a student, a leader, and a person."

One of the key pillars in Division II is 'Community Engagement', as Division II athletics programs actively engage with their communities to enhance relationships between student-athletes and community members and develop a shared civic experience. Division II promotes engagement at the local, conference, and national levels.

For Northern Michigan University student-athletes, their teams actively volunteer in local events such as the Marquette Marathon, the Noquemanon Ski Marathon, and the Special Olympic Michigan Winter Games. You can find the Wildcats supporting local organizations, such as the Beacon House, the Kiwanis Club, and Habitat for Humanity. You can also find student-athletes volunteering for the Make-A-Wish foundation during Wish Week.

Community involvement is an essential part of being a student-athlete, combining service, leadership, and pride in representing their university.

"This year, my team has made a meaningful impact on the community through several volunteer efforts," reflected Maceroni. "[The NMU women's soccer team] volunteered at the Marquette Marathon, where we helped return personal belongings to runners after the race. It was rewarding to support an event that brings the Marquette community together. We also spent time at the Mariucci Beacon House, where we shared dinner with guests staying there and provided companionship during what can be a difficult time in their lives. In the fall, we helped clean up the area surrounding the soccer field and around the Dome by picking up litter. This allowed us to help maintain a clean environment around our athletic spaces that we use every day. During the winter, we volunteered at a Dome soccer tournament, assisting with athlete check-in to help ensure the event ran smoothly. Through these service opportunities, our team has worked to positively represent Northern while giving back to the campus and local community that continually supports us."

"The swim and dive team has done numerous volunteer events and worked around the community," adds DeCarlo. "We are working with other teams to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and we have also done numerous volunteer events together with the Beacon House, which is a local organization that provides free housing to those who have family members staying at the local hospital. Those are just two notable events, but a lot of our team members do a lot of individual volunteering around the community, whether at the local Women's Center or for the school."

"Our team has made an impact on both campus and the local community through various volunteering and fundraising opportunities, DeBruyn said. "Just a few examples are volunteering at the Marquette Marathon and Ultra Marathon, helping with fundraising for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and volunteering at the Special Olympics Michigan Winter Games. Being involved in these events allowed us to give back, support others, and connect more with the community. It's been really rewarding to be able to represent our team and our school positively outside of running."

DeBruyn participates in a workout with her teammates.

"Over the years, our team has made a strong effort to be actively involved both on campus and within the community," says Snyder. "Many of my teammates participate in various student organizations, allowing us to contribute in different ways beyond our sport. As a team, we consistently volunteer at events such as the Marquette Marathon, the Noquemanon Ski Marathon, and other NMU sporting events. Being involved in these events shows that we take pride in positively representing our university and making a difference wherever we can."

Gumbs adds that "my team has helped the local community by helping build a house with the Habitat for Humanity organization, and we also help run different stations during the annual Marquette Marathon."

The members of the golf team added that "we have had the opportunity to help the community during Make a Difference Day and working at The Beacon House to support the families," as well as "we volunteer and help out with projects like Make-A-Wish or showing up at The Beacon House to spend time with patients and their families."

Pietila at media day this season.

Osterman would add that, "My team has positively impacted the community in many ways, like volunteering, supporting local businesses, and helping out those who are in need. It has allowed us to connect with many others outside of our team. Being involved in the community has helped positively represent our program as a whole and allowed us to give back to those who support us!"

Babcock and the football teammates spent time in the community by collaborating with the Beacon House in Marquette, actively participating in the Kiwanis Club food drive, and volunteering at the annual Marquette Marathon.

Babcock, #64

Bartels added, "Throughout my time at Northern, we have been able to impact the local community through engaging in volunteering opportunities such as the Beacon House and the Marquette Marathon. These opportunities help us to go forth in serving others while demonstrating who we are outside of our athletics. Additionally, it brings me so much joy to see individuals from our community come back game after game to support us, and even more joy when we come across opportunities to speak to them further outside of the gym."

For Bassino and the wrestling program, she added, "Our team has made a positive impact on the community by volunteering at a variety of events. We've contributed many hours helping with activities like Make a Difference Day, running 50/50 raffles, supporting the Beacon House, and volunteering at the dog sled races. These opportunities help strengthen our community and support the people and programs that make it a better place."

Truckey, along with her teammates, embraces the unique opportunity to connect with fans while running the 50/50 raffles at football and hockey games, supporting the Green Athletics group, and partnering with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Off-campus, she would add, "We are just as active—whether we're serving dinner at the Beacon House, participating in 'Make a Difference Day,' or staffing the Marquette Marathon and Trail 50."

When reflecting on their respective athletic career, the Wildcat student-athletes quote a blend of achievement, teamwork, relationships, and fun. Success is most meaningful when shared with teammates, friendships, and bonding make the everyday challenges enjoyable, while community support adds to the positive depths of athletic experiences.

"My favorite memory in my college athletic career was winning both the GLIAC Conference regular season title and the conference tournament during my freshman year," added Maceroni, referencing the historic 2024 women's soccer season. "That experience was meaningful because it set the tone for my collegiate career and showed me what can happen when a team fully commits to a shared goal. Being part of a championship team so early on pushed me to grow quickly, embrace my role, and understand the standard of excellence within the program. Celebrating those accomplishments with my teammates made all the hard work and sacrifices worth it. It remains a moment I will always carry with me."

"Last week, at my last [GLIAC] conference meet before graduating, I had the opportunity to swim the 400 freestyle relay," reflected DeCarlo. "I was not originally on it, and after completing my individual event at finals, my coach came up to me and asked if I could swim it about twenty minutes before the race. After about 10 seconds of retirement, I told my coach yes and got ready to swim freestyle, which is not what I usually swim. I spent the next twenty minutes hyping up my relay-mates and even the girls on the other teams. I ended up going my personal best and had the most fun I think a person could have at the end of a four-day meet!"

"My favorite memory in my college athletic career so far is when our cross country team received a bid to go to nationals in our past season," DeBruyn would add.

"One of my favorite memories with my team is before every game, we have a dance party either on the bus going to the game or in the locker room," added Snyder.

"My favorite memory was coming out to see the community shoveling snow off our field before our GLIAC quarterfinal game," added Gumbs, who joined the Marquette community in clearing off the field for hours before hosting the program's first home playoff game. "It meant a lot to see that our team is supported and loved by the local community."

Pietila notes that her favorite memory as a collegiate golfer was "having the opportunity to travel and play golf with my sister", while Pennala added that his favorite memories of his time are "spending time with my teammates. They are such a fun group of guys, and the atmosphere here is always great."

Pennala at media day this season.

Some of Osterman's favorite memories have included "All of the moments spent with my teammates, after winning big games and all that lead up to them." She would add, "We are always competing with each other and working towards the same goal. Just being a part of something that makes you want to be better every day is so special, and I will remember these moments forever. The relationships and atmosphere here [at NMU] have made my career so special."

The favorite memory while at NMU for Babock was the 4-OT thrilling victory over Davenport this past fall.

"My favorite memories as a collegiate athlete thus far have been our preseasons at the beginning of fall," Bartels said. "Filled with so much excitement for all that is to come, along with various team bonding activities and games organized by our coaches. They truly have been the moments that have created lasting memories. Overall, all the friendships that collegiate athletics have brought me have led to so many meaningful and lifelong memories."

Getting closer with her teammates has been Bassino's favorite memory throughout her collegiate career thus far. "Without them, I wouldn't be where I am today, and this sport wouldn't be as fun as it is. The amount of support I get from my teammates is unmatched, and they constantly push me to do better in the classroom and on the mats. They truly are my closest friends, and they make this entire experience so much more meaningful and enjoyable."

Bassino wrestling a student-athlete from Alma at the NMU Invite.

"I have so many great memories and accomplishments from the team so far, but my favorite would have to be just last weekend, breaking the school record in the DMR and hitting a provisional time," Truckey went on to say. "It was an absolutely electric race; being a part of a relay is such a meaningful experience because you aren't just running for yourself—you're carrying the pride of the three other people on that track with you."

Truckey at media day.

To learn more about 'DII Day', you can visit the NCAA website here.

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Players Mentioned

#18 Sydney Bartels: OH; 5' 10"; Junior

Evie DeCarlo: 5' 8"; Senior

#20 Mya Snyder: D; 5' 4"; Senior

Levi Pennala: Sophomore

Abbie Pietila: Sophomore

#14 Reide Osterman: G; 5' 8"; Senior

Ella DeBruyn: Sophomore

Baux Truckey: Junior

Sophia Bassino: Sophomore

#15 Davian Gumbs: D; 5' 9"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#18 Sydney Bartels
: 5' 10"; Junior
: OH

Evie DeCarlo
: 5' 8"; Senior

#20 Mya Snyder
: 5' 4"; Senior
: D

Levi Pennala
: Sophomore

Abbie Pietila
: Sophomore

#14 Reide Osterman
: 5' 8"; Senior
: G

Ella DeBruyn
: Sophomore

Baux Truckey
: Junior

Sophia Bassino
: Sophomore

#15 Davian Gumbs
: 5' 9"; Junior
: D