What makes a prospective student athlete a division III athlete?
It is difficult to characterize an NCAA Division III athlete in any formulaic way. Most coach’s make this assertion based on three reference points:
* Some NCAA Division III programs support a highly competitive system with the majority of varsity team members having been top high school and/or club sport athletes who may have turned down athletic scholarship offers to compete in other divisions.
* Some NCAA Division III environments give opportunities for all who have an interest and are willing to make the commitment to play. They operate junior varsity programs that allow players to develop and improve over time, making the transition to the varsity level.
* Some NCAA Division III programs do not fill all roster spots and/or have less recognized high school players as the majority of varsity team members.
Questions athletes should ask to help determine their opportunity:
How do I relate to the coaching staff?
How would I describe the coaching style?
How do I relate to the other student-athletes?
What is the class-year distribution of the team members?
What positions would I play on the team?
Describe the other players competing for the same position. What year are they?
What are the physical requirements?
What is the time commitment required?
What is the game plan, and how would I fit into this plan?
What percentages of players graduate in four years?
What is the typical practice session? How will I perform?
What is the academic support for athletes at the institution?
What is the typical day for a student-athlete? The typical semester?
Will I be required to live on campus throughout my athletics participation?
The ultimate question: If I am injured and can never compete again, will I accomplish the rest of my goals and be happy at this institution?
Who is a DIII athlete? Most often it is a student athlete who wants to play and makes the choice to attend an institution that best fits his or her needs and ability academically and athletically. |
