Caney selected to attend NCAA Convention via Ethnic Minority Grant in January

North Adams, MA- MCLA Women's Soccer and Lacrosse standout Natalie Caney has been selected to attend the NCAA Convention in San Antonio, TX.  as part of the pilot program via the Division III Ethnic Minority Grant.  The convention is slated for January 13th-16th, 2016.

The Division III Diversity and Inclusion working group – created at the support of the Division III membership coming out of the 2015 NCAA Convention Division III Issues Forum, recommended a pilot program that would fund 43 ethnic minority students from Division III to attend the 2016 Convention.  The Division III Administrative Committee approved the funding for this pilot program.

Caney was among the 43 student athletes selected nationwide to attend.  She is only one of two student athletes selected from the MASCAC.

The goal was to select individuals who have an interest in a career in Division III athletics to help diversify the athletics administrative pipeline.  

"I'm very excited to have this opportunity to network and learn about some different perspectives from coaches and administrators," Caney said about attending.  "Long term, I'd like to either become a coach or administrator so this is a great opportunity to learn first-hand," the junior continued.

Caney is a three year athletic standout in both Soccer and Lacrosse.  She has been a three time All MASCAC performer in Soccer and was the conference's rookie of the year in 2013.  Last year, she was an integral part of Lacrosse's transition to a varsity program at MCLA.  She led the team with 42 points including 26 goals for the Trailblazers.  She will be returning for her second season with Lacrosse this spring.

Caney is a Sociology major and is minoring in both Social Work and Coaching. 

The Division III Ethnic Minority Grant is a two year grant program that provides funding for entry level administrative positions at Division III member schools.