The Northwest Conference (NWC) has entered into a landmark partnership with Teamworks, becoming the first NCAA Division III conference to adopt conference-wide technology. This decision introduces Teamworks Compliance + Recruiting (formerly known as ARMS) across seven member institutions, representing a significant shift in how Division III programs can streamline compliance operations.
This partnership brings cutting-edge athletic department technology to Linfield University, Lewis & Clark College, Willamette University, Pacific University (Ore.), George Fox University, Pacific Lutheran University, and Whitworth University.
Enabling Technology Across Member Institutions
Shana Levine on the conference-wide opportunity with Teamworks.
Jessica Huntley, Sr. Business Development Executive at Teamworks, added, “We’re absolutely thrilled to announce our partnership with the Northwest Conference, marking Teamworks’ first-ever Division III conference collaboration. This is a monumental step, and we’re incredibly grateful to Commissioner Shana Levine for her vision and trust in us to empower their student-athletes and programs.”
Addressing Compliance Gaps in Division III
NCAA Division III programs often manage administrative responsibilities with limited staffing, where coaches frequently balance multiple roles, including recruiting and compliance oversight. This partnership introduces tools designed to address those pressures directly.
Teamworks Compliance provides automated workflows, NCAA rule updates, and direct reporting capabilities that reduce administrative burdens while helping institutions stay aligned with regulatory expectations. Teamworks Recruiting centralizes the recruiting process, facilitates personalized outreach, and ensures smooth transitions from recruit to student-athlete.
“We had staffs that were stretched thin and compliance and recruiting were often falling to people that had multiple roles, including coaches,” Levine said. “Schools were really looking for a system that could simplify things for them.”
Consistency and Collaboration at the Conference Level
By providing each institution with the same tools and systems, the conference aims to enhance collaboration, reduce redundancy, and improve overall efficiency across departments. According to Levine, initial engagement increased significantly once schools recognized the day-to-day value of the platform, particularly in simplifying communication across departments.
A Model for Strategic Technology Adoption
This move by the Northwest Conference introduces a model for other Division III conferences to consider. It demonstrates that coordinated investment in technology can offer tangible benefits even without the large budgets seen in other divisions.
Commissioner Levine noted that key factors in selecting Teamworks included ease of use, onboarding support, platform reliability, and alignment with the conference’s collaborative values.
“What really made Teamworks stand out for us was its ability for collaboration and uniting diverse campuses, which is the core of what we do,” she said. “The criteria that mattered the most to us was efficiency, ease of onboarding, reliability, and alignment with our values.”
The Northwest Conference is setting an example of how thoughtful adoption of digital tools can help create more connected, compliant, and efficient athletic departments—while respecting the unique challenges faced by Division III programs.
Learn more about the Northwest Conference at https://nwcsports.com/.