NCAA DIVISION III WEEK STORY (NCAA.ORG)
MIAC DIVISION III WEEK PAGE
During the week of April 9-15, the NCAA and its partners are celebrating Division III Week. Division III Week is an opportunity for all individuals associated with a Division III institution to observe and celebrate the impact of athletics and of student-athletes on the campus and surrounding community. During the week, every Division III school and conference office is encouraged to conduct a type of outreach activity that falls into one of three categories: academic accomplishment; athletic experience; or leadership/community service/campus involvement.
Brandon Bukowski (SR, Superior, Wis.) is a four-year letterwinner as a member of the Augsburg men's hockey program. As a veteran of the Augsburg program, Bukowski appeared in 85 career games and recorded 14 assists and 15 points. During his tenure at Augsburg, Bukowski's teams qualified for the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference postseason playoffs three times during his career, and was considered one of the top defenders in the conference during his career. In 2011-12, Bukowski was limited to 17 games due to injury.
In 2011, Bukowski earned an Auggie Award as the men's student-athlete with the highest grade-point average. An Academic All-MIAC selection in 2009-10, and 2010-11, Bukowski currently holds a 4.0 grade-point average as a biology major at Augsburg. Upon graduation from Augsburg this spring, Bukowski is planning to pursue a career as a physician.
Question and Answer with Brandon Bukowski:
Q: What would you tell a prospective student-athlete about Augsburg?
A: Being a student-athlete requires an unbelievable amount of hard work, dedication, and time management. In order to be successful in the classroom and on the rink, you have to learn how to achieve a good balance in your life. You learn that you're mentally tougher than you thought you were, and that you have the ability to take control of any situation that you find yourself in. Division III athletics provides every student with this opportunity to grow as a person and to continue to do something that they've had a life-long passion for.
Q: What does it mean to you to be an Auggie?
A: To me, being an Auggie means being a person of great pride, character, and determination. When the game is on the line -- both on the rink and in life -- an Auggie comes through and gets the job done. An Auggie carries him or herself with class, and earns the respect of his opponent through their relentless pursuit of success.
Q: What will you take away from your Augsburg athletic experience?
A: In addition to providing me with countless life lessons and skills, my Augsburg athletic experience has also provided me with some of the closest friends and strongest relationships that I've ever had. I consider my teammates some of the most unbelievable people I know, and can't say enough about the benefits that my athletic experience has provided me.
Q: What have been the benefits to participating in a Division III athletic program?
A: The combination of athletics and academics has provided me with the opportunity to interact with a diverse group of people, and to become a leader in both academic and athletic organizations. I know that the hard work, dedication, and sacrifice that my combined academic and athletic experience has required will translate into success as I pursue my goal of becoming a physician.
Q: Why did you choose Augsburg?
A: I chose Augsburg College because it afforded me the opportunity to attain a high-quallity liberal-arts education in the heart of a large city with a group of people that were passionate about what they do. I felt an immediate connection with both Coach (Chris) Brown and the hockey program, and the faculty in the science department at Augsburg.
Q: Why did you choose D-III?
A: I chose to become a Division III athlete because it allowed me to continue to play a sport that I am passionate about without sacrificing my education. Division III athletics is unique in that it truly defines what it means to be a student-athlete -- you're a student first, and an athlete second.
