Colorado Springs, Colo. (January 16, 2025)—Following the recent announcement that Burlington, Wash. will serve as the site of the D-I College Championships this spring, USA Ultimate announced today that its D-III championship tournament will also be hosted in Burlington the previous weekend.
The three-day, USA Ultimate D-III College Championships will be held at the Skagit River Sports Complex, May 17-19, and will be co-hosted by DiscNW and Skagit Tourism Bureau. The awarding of the D-III tournament to Burlington marks just the third time in the event’s 15-year history that both the D-I and D-III divisions will be contested at the same venue (2021, 2022). All totaled, Burlington will welcome a total of 72 teams and more than 1,900 student-athletes as they celebrate the culmination of the college ultimate season.
“We’re thrilled to welcome D-III ultimate to Skagit Valley, where the beauty of nature meets the spirit of competition, commented Skagit Tourism Bureau CEO Kristen Keltz. “Hosting this event not only showcases our region’s breathtaking landscapes and vibrant community, but also fosters a partnership that benefits both Skagit Tourism and the ultimate community. Together, we’re creating an unforgettable experience for players and visitors alike while supporting local businesses and celebrating the power of connection through sport.”
Poised for its 15th edition, the USA Ultimate D-III College Championships is the finale of the college ultimate season for schools that have total enrollment of less than 7,500 students. After a regular season that spans the winter and early spring, teams from around the country compete to qualify for nationals via a series of conference and regional tournaments. Thirty-two teams – 16 each in the men’s and women’s divisions – will ultimately earn an opportunity to compete for a national title in Burlington.
“DiscNW is incredibly excited to collaborate with USA Ultimate to host the 2025 D-III College Championships in Burlington,” added DiscNW Executive Director Jude LaRene. “This partnership offers a unique opportunity to showcase the region’s vibrant ultimate community and highlight the fantastic athletes than play D-III ultimate. We’re eager to provide an unforgettable experience for athletes, coaches and fans. The Pacific Northwest is known for its passionate ultimate players and we can’t wait to bring this prestigious event to our home turf!”
Like its D-I counterpart, USA Ultimate’s D-III college ranks include several prominent schools in the Pacific Northwest with a rich history of competitive excellence. Last year, the University of Portland captured a national title in the women’s division, while the tournament also featured teams from Lewis & Clark College and Whitman College. Along with other frequent qualifiers from the University of Puget Sound and Pacific Lutheran University, those five schools have combined for 38 appearances at the D-III championships and a pair of national titles, suggesting that the likelihood is high for this year’s tournament to feature several local teams.
