Division III Week is a week of celebration of the great opportunities that Division III provides by allowing student-athletes to discover their potential, develop their passions and dedicating themselves to success, on and off the playing field. 

Courtney Salisbury (Cranston, RI), an Occupational Therapy (OT) major at Worcester State University, is a phenomenal two-sport athlete. An asset to both Worcester State’s volleyball and softball teams, Salisbury embodies the meaning of being a student-athlete.

Salisbury has earned honors athletically and academically. As an OT major, Salisbury is required to maintain a grade of 73 or above in all major prerequisite courses. Salisbury has surpassed this requirement, earning her spot on the Dean’s List for all of her semesters here at Worcester State. In her freshman year, Salisbury received the Lt. Col. Sheehan Freshman Academic Achievement Award and became a member of the Phi Eta Sigma Honors Society. More recently, Salisbury became a member of the National Athlete Honor Society. She has also been a member of the MASCAC All-Academic Team for all semesters.

During her time at Worcester State, Salisbury has participated in volunteer work and charity fundraising with both the volleyball and softball teams and Worcester State’s Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC).

“During volleyball season, we would spend Friday afternoons with the 6^th grade classes at Chandler Magnet Elementary School. This year with the softball team, we are fundraising for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. With SAAC, I have volunteered with the Special Olympics during their bowling tournament in Auburn.”

In her freshman year, Salisbury earned a starting position as catcher on the softball team and was the Female Freshman Athlete of the Year. Salisbury says that her participation in sports has allowed her to learn time management skills and responsibility, which has also helped her immensely in the classroom.

“I have learned that there are times when I may need to sacrifice sleep or a social life in order to participate in the sports I love and maintain the grades I need to continue on in my program of study. School can be very stressful and demanding at times, but it helps knowing that I have an outlet in sports.”

Salisbury is only a junior right now, but is already looking ahead to further her education in the future as an Occupational Therapist. She is expecting to graduate in May 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy.

“After graduation next year, I will be attending graduate school for a couple years in order to get my Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy.”

Release by Alyssa Hill | Sports Information Graduate Assistant