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Being a Division 3 Athlete

We do it because we love it not because we have to!

Lydia Meier

Jun 13, 2016

University of Wisconsin - Stout

http://roidvisor.com/getting-away-steroid-use-ncaa-division-iii-sports-programs-piece-cake/

As a Division III athlete, I have heard a lot of criticism in my time. Most of them false ideas stemming from what people assume about college sports in general, especially in Division III.

There was one statement that has really stuck with me and made me really think about what it means to be a Division III athlete.

One day while I was chatting with a friend about being on the Track team, I was rudely interrupted by someone saying, “You do Division III college track, anyone can do it, it’s easy”. Her words hurt, I didn’t understand how someone could just put me down like that.

After the fact I thought about how she was right, anyone is welcome to come try out for our team, but I will say by no means is it easy.

Anyone in college sports can agree with me that nothing we do is easy, but Division III stands out from the other divisions, because we don’t do the sport because we have to or because we have a scholarship. We don’t get perks, or any special treatment, maybe a free T-shirt here and there. We participate in Division III sports simply because we love it.

I’m going to tell you right now: DIII doesn’t give out any scholarships, it is part of its philosophy. Its slogan states; Discover, Develop, Dedicate. And I can honestly say with my time as a DIII athlete I have excelled in all three areas, and I have watched my teammates do the same.

Discover: As I have made my way through my athletic program, I have found a drive within myself to push myself to new limits and train hard, and to never give up.

Develop: I have developed as a person and have grown into the person I want to be and I am in a place in my life I’d never thought I’d be.

Dedicate: I along with everyone I know in athletics have dedicated many hours, days, months, and years into our sport. From the 6:30 a.m. work outs to the 7 p.m. practice, we also juggle school, friends, and other organizations into an already hectic life. Being part of a team has taught me how to dedicate myself to something much bigger than me.

Coming out of high school I never even dreamed about being a college athlete. Division III sports has really helped me as a person and I would not be where I am today without the experience of being an athlete.

So yes anyone can do Division II sports, but by no means is it easy. The most important fact to remember is we do it because we love it.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Being a Division 3 Athlete

We do it because we love it not because we have to!

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All names should be "unisex names."

1. Communicating via email can be awkward.

2. Appointments usually accompany weird looks.

3. Introducing yourself to someone is never without a hitch.

4. You’ve probably thought about changing your name.

5. You’re often asked why you have the name you do.

6. You get excited when you meet someone of your gender with your name.

7. You feel awkward when you meet someone of the opposite gender with your name.

8. You’ve had someone say to you, “I knew a [your name], but they were [your opposite gender].”

9. You’ve heard a bad joke/pick-up line or two about your name before.

10. People are surprised when they see you.

11. You’re extra sensitive to other unique or unisex names.

12. You’ve fought with your parents about it.

13. All things considered, you’re happy your name makes you unique.

You know that all of these things apply to you. You'll just never tell.

I get it... I'm pale.

1. At least I can't lose you in a crowd!

2. Oh my goodness your skin is like glow-in-the-dark.

3. Can't you just get fake tan?

4. Do you tan or just burn?

5. Your kids are going to look like Casper the Friendly Ghost!

6. *holds arm against your arm* Look how much darker I am compared to you!

7. *holds pale arm against another pale arm* Aw, at least you're darker than her!

8. I laid out by the pool almost every day over break!

9. I haven't used sunscreen since I was, like, five.

10. *adjusts selfie lighting to their face* Oops, where'd you go??

11. *after working out* Your face is SO red!

12. *wears white* Look! You're all one color!

13. You need to get some sun.

14. Aren't you excited for summer?

The struggle bus is real.

1. Child prodigies:

2. Hearing other musicians in the practice room next door and accepting that you will never be as talented as them:

3. That anxiety that takes over before every performance:

4. Taking a million 0 credit classes:

5. When there's a paper due the next day, but you have to attend yet another concert in order to pass a 0 credit class:

6. When your friends try to encourage you after a performance, even though you are criticizing everything in your mind:

7. Knowing that there's always that one professor during juries:

8. The oh-so-attractive band/choir uniforms:

9. Realizing that a college campus is maybe not the best atmosphere to finish your latest composition:

10. Hearing "Oh, you sing opera? I LOVE Phantom of the Opera!" for the hundredth time:

11. When people think finals week is a breeze for you.

12. When you're drowning in the stress that comes with 18+ credits (and not to mention all those 0 credit classes) and people ask you how you are:

13. When it all comes down to it, though, you know that at the end of the day, music is your passion:

Because you need it in your life.

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6. holds arm against your arm Look how much darker I am compared to you!

7. holds pale arm against another pale arm Aw, at least you're darker than her!

10. adjusts selfie lighting to their face Oops, where'd you go??

11. after working out Your face is SO red!

12. wears white Look! You're all one color!