Following is a summary of Division III news published April 13-17.

•         Friends of Captain Richard Phillips, a former Massachusetts Maritime varsity basketball player held hostage for five days last week by Somali pirates, pinned their hopes for his safe release on his athleticism, toughness and resourcefulness.

•         Five football programs in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference will become affiliate members of the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference this year, as the SLIAC ends sponsorship of the sport.

•         Hamilton will move seven sports from the Liberty League into the New England Small College Athletic Conference, fully integrating the school’s 28-sport athletics program into the NESCAC in 2011-12.

•         Nominations are being solicited for Division III vacancies on six sports committees.