Clarksville, Ark.- The University of the Ozarks athletic department will be hosting 35 students from the Lamar and Clarksville school districts Friday as part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division III Week celebration.

U of O student-athletics and coaches will participate in activities on campus with students from self-contained classrooms for a fun-filled afternoon. The local students will have the opportunity to play games and eat lunch on campus. The event, which was organized by the university's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Athletic Office Manager Lisa Thomas and Dr. Amy Oatis, will begin at 11:00 a.m.

"We really enjoy this opportunity to work with the students," said U of O Athletic Director Jimmy Clark. "Our student-athletes had a blast last year. It has a positive impact on all involved. We wish to thank Aramark for donating the lunch".

NCAA Division III Week is a positive opportunity for all individuals associated with a Division III institution to observe and celebrate the impact athletics and student-athletes have on campus and in the surrounding community. The event is part of Division III's Identity Initiative, which was introduced in 2010 to sharpen the division's identity and enable schools, conferences, and student-athletes to consistently explain why they prefer to compete in Division III.

U of O student-athletes have rendered volunteer service this academic year with a variety of organizations, including the Salvation Army, Johnson County Helping Hands Women's Shelter and Family Service Center and Samaritan's Purse.