Dear Fellow Athlete,
When you first started the recruiting process, it was always exciting no matter what school emailed you. What mattered was that someone wanted you for their program, that someone admired the skills you had worked hard to perfect. Then decision time comes. You're talking to parents and others players at a tournament, and the questions begin. Who are you talking to? Where do you want to go? Have you committed yet? When you first tell them you had in fact committed, there was this euphoric expression on their face as they asked where and offered the big names guesses; the top teams in Division I. Then you told them you decided to play for a Division III athletic program. There is this slight pause before they actually congratulate you, and most of the time they've never even heard of your program. A common response was, that it'll be easier, or less competitive. You can't help but feel slightly embarrassed about it when your team mates brag about their scholarships and being a Division I athlete; like somehow you were less of an athlete, that you won't work as hard as they will. This is a huge misconception that people who do not truly understand your division will believe.
I am by no means bashing the other divisions, but I wanted to clear some things up about D3 Athletics.
Your daily routine is not a walk in the park.
Most mornings you get up not even sure if it's morning yet, the moons hanging low in the sky just like the bags beneath your eyes. Sometimes you're heading out for morning practice when others are just getting in. You're exhausted and groggy from the hours you spent studying last night while trying to keep up with the work you missed from having away games that weekend. Because school always comes first, and there is little to no special treatment. You get to practice, warm up and work your butt off for two (sometimes four, mostly four) hours. And you can't forget the times you stayed after practice or came in early to get the extra reps. Then it's off to class in your sweaty practice uniform. Throughout the day you live on coffee, nap when you can, explain to people why you look and smell the way you do, and refrain from eating that cupcake you want more than anything; you'd prefer not taste it again later during conditioning or weights.
Before you join a D3 program, you should know that it is not easy and it will push you far beyond what you thought were your limits.
You are each other's biggest supporters, sometimes only supporters
Most of the time, besides the parents, you have to be your own fans and the fans of the other sports teams. Unless you send out numerous Facebook event requests, bribe with food, or send air reminders by way of pigeons there is a good chance most of the general student body will not show up. Besides the squad. The squad's awesome.
The facilities and the equipment can be questionable...
It is no shock that a lot of D3 programs do not always give the most funding to they're athletic programs. And a lot of the uniforms and equipment is hand-me-downs and shared with the general public. This can be frustrating sometimes when your uniform is a size too big or when your ball sneaks through that one hole in the net. The thing is, you don't care. Because when it comes down to it, you appreciate everything you get and everything that has been passed down and provided, because it helps your game. And your game is the only thing that really matters. The opportunity to play is the real prize, the bells and whistles are just the wrapping paper.
There are no D3 athletic scholarships
You put everything you physically and mentally have into your sport every day and do it without any "compensation". You didn't choose this life because you're somehow less of an athlete or because you wanted something easier or because you didn't deserve a scholarship. Division III athletic teams are not allowed to provide scholarship aid for their athletes. As nice as it would be, you don't think about what you're not getting. You think about the game. You do this because you love the challenge, you love good competition, you love to push yourself academically, within your sport, you love what your school has to offer, and you do this day in and day out for the little boy or girl that fell in love with the game.
So here's to you fellow D3 athlete. So even though we don't air on ESPN or have thousands of people watching us play, you keep doing you. And do not forget that even though most of the time it doesn't feel like it, you are appreciated, and your hard work does not go unnoticed. Take pride in the fact that you are a collegiate athlete no matter what the preceding title may be, and remember that there are many kids around the country who dream of being the athlete you are.
