We are in a unique position: we have the NESCAC-a conference of mainly small liberal arts schools in New England. However, other D-III schools that are not as lucky in their geographic location and, therefore, do not have a similar consortium of nearby liberal arts colleges, have a harder time competing in their division. Carleton College, located in Minnesota with hardly any schools nearby similar in size or attitude toward balancing academics and athletics, is such a school. Its president has floated the proposal of creating a new fourth division (D-III-A), composed of current liberal arts colleges with the ultimate goal of leveling the playing field for all involved.
However, as much as this proposal would help struggling colleges like Carleton, Amherst-and the rest of the NESCAC schools-already play in an equivalent league, and any further division seems pointless. Aside from the hassle and bureaucracy that such a move would create, the ramifications on our school's academics could be greater than we envision. Exceptional students who also happen to be athletes, already disappointed with our D-III standing, would most likely frown upon a D-III-A school as well. In addition, interdivisional games are hard enough to schedule now, and they would only become more difficult as D-I, D-II and even D-III schools would have everything to lose and nothing to gain by playing a D-III-A opponent.
On the flip side, there seem to be no obvious gains from making this transition. Amherst sports teams will still likely compete against the same foes they do currently-we certainly won't be travelling to Carleton or Pomona. And dissolving the NESCAC would only deemphasize the regional rivalries that embody the spirit of collegiate competition.
The creation of a D-III-A league could possibly benefit those colleges that do not already participate in a consortium such as the NESCAC, but clearly it would not strengthen nor hold any attraction for an institution like Amherst.