Advantages Of Division III Sports

More college athletes can shine with DIII Athletics.

Sports at the Division III level offer key advantages over athletics found at Division I and Division II schools, yet are often overlooked by college bound athletes.

As high school athletes approach the end of their senior year, some of them choose to continue their athletics into college academia. There are several paths to take including Division I, II, or III. In order to play at the Division I or II level, athletes must "sign" with the school, which is usually accompanied by a scholarship. The glamour of "signing" with a school can blind an athlete to the benefits of playing at the Division III level.

Student-Athlete at DIII School

First and foremost, Division III athletes can pursue their academic career without the pressures a DI or DII school can present. The time commitment required of Division III athletes is typically not as overwhelming as that of DI/DII athletes, which enables student-athletes to achieve good academic success without their sport interfering with their studies.

Another advantage of Division III schools is the average class size . These schools are typically smaller in size which allow the student-athlete a better chance of receiving one-on-one help from professors, which may be necessary for an athlete managing a busy schedule.

Greater Success in DIII Sports

The competition at the Division III level is not as challenging as that found at a Division I or II school. An athlete who may have received minimal playing time at a DII school for little or no money can thrive and succeed in DIII athletics. Rather than sit the bench for their first two seasons at a DI or DII school, a "bubble" athlete may find a good amount of playing time in a DIII program.

Many Division III athletes are playing for the love of the game. They want to play their sport and have fun doing it. Sitting the bench at a bigger school is not what they are interested in. If an athlete is looking to actually play their sport, then a DIII school might be a good option for them.

DIII Allows Multiple Sports

Some athletes are talented in more than one sport. Division III sports allow these multi-sport athletes to participate in two sports rather than just one. At a DI or DII school, athletes are in training year round and are not able to participate in more than one sport. However, determined DIII athletes can participate in a second sport allowing them to broaden their athletic career.

Why Division III?

The advantages offered by DIII athletics can be great for an athlete who might not want the pressures offered by a DI or DII school, or who might not see as much playing time as they would like. When making a decision on playing college sports, it is important to consider all the possibilities including the advantages found only in Division III sports.

Jeff Moree 2009