From April 13-19, the NCAA celebrates Division III Week -- seven days devoted to the accomplishments of the student-athletes in D3. The goal of the celebration is to raise awareness of Heidelberg and other D3 schools across the nation.

This story was written by Angela Lulejian, a junior practicum student and women's lacrosse player.

For more information on Heidelberg's D3 Week activities, visit the D3 Week homepage.


Hurdling Expectations: Going Above and Beyond

TIFFIN, Ohio -- Marques Johnson always had dreams of dotting the "i" in Ohio State's marching band, but what he didn't know was that upon his arrival at Heidelberg University, he would soon be dotting an "i" of his own. 

Being a student-athlete is difficult enough; athletics adds another pressure to the workload of academics, but being a student-athlete who is also involved in theater and music adds much more to the plate than many people can handle.

Johnson is a Popular Music major graduating this spring. He is the president of a fraternity on campus, Sigma Tau Nu, and is involved in many other organizations, including Black Student Union, Marching Band, Concert Choir, the newly formed Heimonics acapella group, and musicals (including Mamma Mia and Cabaret). In addition to all of this, he is in countless other ensembles and a hurdler on the track team. 

With a schedule as busy as his, one would never expect Johnson to find the time to live a college student's life, but somehow, he persevered. 

When Heidelberg took a chance on him, he found his true passions and continued to become a leader in his sport and in music.

His passion for music developed as a child when his uncle was in a marching band. 

"Music has been my thing. I pick up instruments and can figure them out pretty quickly," said Johnson, who started with the trombone but ultimately chose to continue in the tuba section when he was in sixth grade.

On the flip side however, he has also always been an athlete. From baseball to basketball, he was always encouraged to participate in sports from a young age. Originally planning to attend Heidelberg for football, he found himself in a track uniform jumping hurdles. 

"People tell me I'm doing too much but I just like being a busybody," said Johnson, who earned All-Ohio Athletic Conference honors as a part of Heidelberg's indoor 4x200M relay team in 2018.

Like every other student, Johnson -- who showed off his style as the band's drum major last year -- feels the pressure when deadlines start coming his way and he has to find time to focus on his schoolwork. 

"I just take a step back and reorganize and prioritize what needs to get done." said Johnson, a native of Belleville, Michigan. Throughout his collegiate run, he has learned to give himself time to relax and breathe. "I think that's one of the biggest takeaways I learned to do for myself." 

Johnson recollects his visit to Heidelberg, pointing out that the marching band was very small and seemed to be moping around while carrying their instruments. He gives the credit to Jon Waters, the Director of Bands, for successfully reinventing Heidelberg's marching band. Now, Waters, according to Johnson,  "has that personality where he can just go talk to people and get [them] interested in something."

Athletics and music really do have more in common than people think. Coach Brian Grime and Waters both encourage their students to be more than just an athlete or student, but a well-rounded individual. The two biggest activities Johnson is involved in on campus are team-oriented with a strong aspect of working individually as well -- "best of both worlds," one might say. 

Johnson compares hurdling to life in that "there is always going to be something in your way, you just have to get over it as quickly as possible so you can keep moving on to get to the finish line." 

His last bit of advice for an athlete who wants to step out of their comfort zone is, "Just do it. You never know what you're going to find out about yourself that you like. ... A small liberal arts college is the perfect place to explore all of your interests."

Rather than letting the pressure of his life take over, Marques Johnson has taken his 'Berg experience and turned it into one of a lifetime. 

As a tuba and sousaphone player, Johnson's O-H-I-O dream turned into B-E-R-G when the Heidelberg Marching Band put on a show featuring music by the popular band Panic! At the Disco. As the band formed the word "Panic!", Johnson's dream of wanting to dot the 'i' was fulfilled. 

"It wasn't the 'i' but it was an 'i' so it was just as special to me!"