Going to a small school while playing college athletics can really be a blessing and a curse. It may or may not have been what you envisioned for your college experience during the recruiting process, but not having several thousand fans isn't always a bad thing. There is no community quite like the ones built at small schools and especially in their athletic department. No matter what division you play in or where your school is located we can all relate to a similar experience.
1. You know all of the other athletes on campus
This is especially true if you attend a small school with a large athletics department. For example, at my university, 20 percent of students on campus are division one varsity athletes. This is because we have less than three thousand students, but 25 varsity sports teams.
2. You can spot the other athletes wearing the same clothes
Everyone is sporting the same highly attractive groutfit to and from class on a daily basis, so it becomes easy to spot us. Walking into a class and seeing a fellow student athlete who will be wearing only sweats to this class is very reassuring.
3. Other athletes are your biggest fans
Being at a small school means that you don't have nearly as many fans as the large universities, but don't worry because your fellow student-athletes have your back. Show up to any sporting event and you can bet you'll find some other athletes there and maybe even with their whole team- and we can get rowdy.
4. Playing at bigger schools is like a dream
This team's stadium and parking lot are bigger than your entire campus. Not to mention the several thousand fans they have coming to their game. you may just be playing a pre-season game, but to your team it feels like the Super Bowl.
5. Big teams underestimate you
Although you may not have heard of our school, we don't go down without a fight. Don't think you've got this game in the bag just because our whole school population is smaller than just your psychology department. Even nationally ranked teams get upset by the underdog, so watch out for us.
6. Food options to feed your seemingly nonstop hunger are limited
We have one and a half dining halls on campus and four restaurants in town, but I need to eat about six meals a day. I'm not sure that I will ever be able to live without the unlimited meal plan option.
7. You don't get the higher status that comes with bigger schools
No locals are going to recognize you even if you're the best player on the entire team. Oh and don't even think about pulling the "athlete card" to get out of anything because that's not going to fly. People may respect you, but kids aren't going to be asking you to sign anything anytime soon.8. Your facilities are smaller
Some big schools have more than one weight room and several indoor facilities, but the majority of small schools aren't going to have that. You might have to share facilities with other teams for practice or work around other athletes when coming in to do extra work. Just because the facilities are smaller doesn't mean they're any less nice. Some of the highest quality sports facilities that I've seen have been at smaller schools.
9. Rivalries with other small schools can get intense
Knowing that another team is on a level playing field with you heats up the rivalries. Which small liberal arts school in the middle of nowhere will be the best?!?
10. You hang out with your team ALL THE TIME
When you're not practicing or doing homework there isn't much to do in your small college town, so your team spends endless amounts of time together. With the free time you have your team comes up with weird activities like scavenger hunts or karaoke battles.
11. You will cherish your experience after graduation
Although it may not have been exactly what you pictured college athletics being like, your experience is priceless. The friendships you make during your career will last a lifetime and how many fans showed up to watch your game won't really matter to you in the end.
