As the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division III marks its 50th anniversary, Allegheny College proudly reflects on its own rich history of national championships across a broad range of sports. Since the establishment of Division III in 1973, of which Allegheny was a founding member, the College has built a legacy of athletic excellence, becoming a powerhouse in the Division III landscape.
“The longevity and success of Division III is due to the commitment of our members and the student-athletes,” said Louise McCleary, vice president of Division III. “Over five decades, Division III schools and conferences have remained focused on ensuring athletics are a critical component of a student-athlete’s well-rounded college experience. It’s resulted in five decades of success, which we can’t wait to celebrate with members across the country.”
The NCAA was founded in 1906 to address concerns about the safety and regulation of college sports. Initially, there were no divisions within the NCAA; all schools competed together, regardless of size or resources, until 1973, when the NCAA reorganized into three divisions to better manage the diverse nature of member institutions. This restructuring created Division III, characterized by a focus on participation and balance, rather than athletic scholarships. Division III has since grown into the largest division in the NCAA, encompassing over 400 institutions.
From hosting the first-ever NCAA Division III men’s swimming & diving championship in 1975 to the 2024 dedication of the Norm A. Sundstrom Walk of Fame in the David V. Wise Athletic Center, Allegheny has consistently demonstrated the prowess and dedication of its student-athletes. These achievements underscore the College’s commitment to balancing academic rigor with athletic excellence, a core principle of Division III athletics.
“Reflecting on the last 50 years, we are immensely proud of our student-athletes and their accomplishments,” said President Ron Cole. “Their hard work, passion, and dedication have brought national recognition to our College, and we celebrate their achievements as we look forward to continuing this legacy.”
The Athletes
When it comes to outstanding distance runners, Kevin Pool ’05 set the standard for which all others are measured. The
New Windsor, Pennsylvania, native was the first-ever Gator to win an individual North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) championship and the conference’s Runner of the Year award, a feat he accomplished twice during his junior and senior cross country seasons.
He was also the first men’s cross country runner to earn All-America accolades, as he placed 10th nationally in 2003 and 17th in 2004. Pool earned All-Mid-East Region honors in each of his seasons on the cross country team, which won the NCAC’s team titles in 2002 and 2004.
A five-time conference champion on the track, Pool won indoor crowns in the 1,500- and 5,000-meter races as well as the outdoor 1,500-, 5,000-, and 10,000-meter races. After winning three events at the 2005 NCAC Outdoor Championships, Pool was tabbed the league’s Distance Runner of the Year.
Now the director of operations for California-based Blistering Pace Race Management, a large-scale race event management vendor, Pool enjoyed a successful running career post-graduation, including an 18th-place finish at the 2013 Boston Marathon.
The College’s swimming & diving teams have also made significant waves, with numerous individual and team titles over the decades. Standout athletes like Erin Ham Steehler ’09, who set multiple Division III records, have been instrumental in these victories, contributing to the College’s storied history in aquatic sports.
A five-time All-NCAC honoree and three-time All-American, Steehler made her mark as the greatest breaststroke swimmer in the storied history of the Allegheny swimming & diving team. The Franklin, Pennsylvania, native owns both the 100- and 200-yard breaststroke records and was part of two record-setting medley relay teams.
Over her four-year career, Steehler qualified for the NCAA Division III Championships three times and swam in nine events. As a sophomore, she placed 14th in the 100-yard breaststroke to secure her first All-America award. Not only did she set both breaststroke records in 2009, she also recorded the second-best 200-yard individual medley time in team history at the national championship meet. Steehler placed fifth in the 100-yard breaststroke finals and set a program record at 1:03.82 in the prelims. In the 200-yard race, she came in fourth with a time of 2:18.21.
Following her senior season, Steehler was voted Allegheny’s Female Senior Achievement Award winner and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Female Athlete of the Year.
Golf has been another area of excellence, with the men’s and women’s teams consistently performing at high levels, earning national championships and setting records in various events.
Jim Swanson ’92 was a prolific golfer during his four-year career, one of several to don the Blue and Gold amidst the program’s heyday in the ’80s and ’90s. Swanson’s standout résumé comprises four All-NCAC awards, including first-team nods in 1991 and 1992, three All-Region selections, and a pair of All-America laurels. As a junior, he helped Allegheny secure an NCAC title by placing fourth in the conference tournament. It was one of six different tournaments the Gators won that season.
Swanson was the individual medalist during Allegheny’s victory at the Hiram College Invitational. At the NCAA Championships in Lincoln, Nebraska, he led all Gators by tying for seventh place with a four-round total of 304 (+20), helping the team tie for sixth place on the leaderboard. He also finished seventh in the country as a senior in 1992 in Wooster, Ohio, with a cumulative 295 (+7). He carded the second-best final round in the championship tournament with a 2-under 70, and the Gators climbed four spots in the standings to tie for fifth place.
During Swanson’s tenure, Allegheny was consistently ranked as the top team in the region and among the national leaders in the entire Division III landscape.
And in an unforgettable climax to the 1990 NCAA Division III football season, the Gators clinched the national championship with a thrilling come-from-behind 21-14 overtime victory over Lycoming College in Bradenton, Florida. Former Athletics Director Norm Sundstrom called it “the greatest athletics achievement in Allegheny’s 175 years.”
“The success of our athletic programs is a testament to the dedication of our coaches, staff, and, most importantly, our student-athletes,” said Athletic Director Bill Ross. “Our athletes excel not only in their sports, but also in their academic pursuits, embodying the true spirit of Division III.”
*Check back for Part II featuring alum who have gone on to become Olympians and professional athletes.
