As a Division III football player, I’ve seen the harshest physical and emotional pains of athletics in my life. Difficult workouts on a daily basis mixed with the struggles of academics are not so dissimilar from the kinds of work that Division I athletes put in. The only difference is that Division I athletes are granted scholarships whereas Division III (DIII) players potentially gain nothing for their athletics. Although it seems that there are no outstanding reasons to play a sport at the next level when there are no monetary or potential professional gains, playing athletics at the Division III level still has countless benefits — maybe even more than Division I.

For pride and for purpose

Through my experiences playing a DIII sport, I’ve noticed that there are a few things athletes can still achieve. For instance, athletes can train hard to accomplish goals either as a team or as an individual. Players can work together to pursue goals of winning their conference or even a national title. These sorts of titles grant athletes trophies and rings to prove their commitment to training. This is a great incentive, but the trophies and rings aren’t just handed out to anybody.

Athletes have to wake up early, give more than 100 percent effort during workouts and have to make their training ritualistic. This type of habitual training helps athletes to set the bar for not only athletic goals, but for other goals in their own lives as well. These intense workouts and routines build a broader sense of purpose within athletes, which makes other things in life seem much easier. Since I’ve started playing college football, I’ve noticed my self-confidence shooting for the heavens due to the amount of hardships I face while practicing my sport. Had I not been pushed by my coaches, I wouldn’t be used to similar stresses that occur on a daily basis in the working world. Ultimately, DIII football has given me a larger sense of purpose and pride.

For fitness and friendship

One of the more obvious reasons for playing at the DIII level is that there is a pursuit of fitness. Athletics are a great way to stay in shape, and can help spawn a healthy lifestyle, even at college where junk food is plentiful. When doing a DIII sport, gaining the “freshmen fifteen” is much more difficult due to the countless workouts and practices athletes partake in. These habits of working out are like a drug. Once players have gotten into them, it’s insanely difficult to stop. I notice that I crave the workouts and need to do them or else I’ll encounter gym withdrawals.

All that time training pays off physically, but it also assists players in building bonds with teammates. I noticed recently that all the best friends I’ve made in college are the same guys who I play football with. We spend every single day together, practicing, learning plays and suffering through tough conditioning and practices. No matter what different personalities we have individually, we all ache and work together as one unit on the football field. This kind of comradery is a large reason that makes DIII athletics worth every ounce of energy burned for the love of one’s teammates and the love of the game.

For the Love of the Game

At the end of high school, I was luckier than most of my secondary school teammates because I was able to continue playing the sport I’ve grown up loving. Every great friend I’ve made, every strong memory I’ve created and every substantial point of growth I’ve encountered in my life all happened synonymously through sports. I have always wanted nothing more than to continue to play football forever. Obviously this isn’t possible, but with Division III football I am at least granted four more years to play the sport I love and have grown up knowing like a brother. And even without a scholarship or any shot at the pros, those four extra years make all the difference.