What is division 3

You have the high major, mid-major, and lower D1 conferences. D2 has some pretty solid teams and athletes, but the schools tend to be a little smaller and have lower budgets. D3 is the lowest division and it is comprised of many small private universities with fairly low budgets. The differences between D1, D2, and D3 are significant in some areas, while in others there are only slight changes. Please note that in this article we are generalizing for the majority of schools and sports in their respective division.

There will be some exceptions! D1 : Offer full s cholarships that cover everything including tuition, room and board, books, dining plans, etc. D3 : Do not offer any athletic scholarships, but can provide financial aid packages. D1 : The majority of schools at this level have very large budgets. Athletes are provided with lots of gear and new uniforms yearly. Training facilities are top notch with the best trainers available. D2 : Some schools have larger budgets than others, but the highest budgets at this level are still substantially lower than the highest D1 budgets.

D3 : Budgets are often very minimal for athletics and are just a step higher from the high school level. The college recruiting guidebook is the ultimate manual to earning an athletic scholarship for student-athletes and parents. You can get this guidebook for the same price. Download the Guidebook. D1 : The best coaches are typically at this level and earn a hefty paycheck. These programs will also have a lot of assistant coaches on the staff that are compensated well.

D3 : Most of the coaches are younger and are trying to move there way up to higher divisions. On the flip side some of them are older in age and have been at the same place for a long time. These programs have very few assistant coaches and some of them are volunteers.

D1 : The best athletes and teams with the most pro players come from this division. However, when you consider how few athletes play beyond high school this division is still really good competition.

I played D1 basketball in college, from personal experience I would say these comparisons are purely team-based. There are plenty of D2 and even a few D3 players I knew who were better than players at the D1 level. D1 : Lots of traveling all over the country with intense schedules that push student-athletes to their limits. Athletes have very few breaks during the season and off-seasons are a tough grind. Some athletes have to attend summer school to keep training depending on the sport.

D2 : Lots of variations at this level which greatly depends on what conference you are in. Traveling distances are shorter, breaks are a little longer, and athletes are usually not required to come in the summer. The off-season is a little less intense compared to D1, but not by much. Traveling will be close, off-seasons will be much more laid back, and summers will be free for jobs or internships.

The season is still a grind but it is shorter and has breaks installed in it especially around the holidays. The Division III experience provides for passionate participation in a competitive athletic environment, where student-athletes push themselves to excellence and build upon their academic success with new challenges and life skills.

And student-athletes are encouraged to pursue the full spectrum of opportunities available during their time in college. In this way, Division III provides an integrated environment for student-athletes to take responsibility for their own paths, follow their passions and find their potential through a comprehensive educational experience.

This integration of athletics allows the student-athlete to take full advantage of the many opportunities of campus life and their entire collegiate experience. Shorter practice and playing seasons, no red-shirting and regional competition minimize time away from their academic studies and keep student-athletes on a path to graduation.

Student-athletes are integrated on campus and treated like all other members of the general student-body, keeping them focused on being a student first.

Division III institutions develop student-athlete potential through a comprehensive educational approach - Division III institutions offer athletics for the educational value and benefit to the student-athlete, not for the purposes of revenue generation or entertainment. Student-athletes compete in a highly competitive athletic program and retain the full spectrum of college life Student-athletes do not receive monetary incentive to play sports but rather participate for the love of the game.

Division III institutions develop student-athlete potential through a holistic educational approach that includes rigorous academics, competitive athletics and opportunity to pursue other interests and passions. Integrated campus environment. About one-quarter of all students at Division III institutions participate in athletics. Those participating in athletics are integrated into the campus culture and educational missions of their colleges or universities: Student-athletes are subject to admission and academic performance standards consistent with the general student body; Student-athletes are not provided any special housing, services or support from their institution different from other students or student groups; Athletic departments are regulated and managed through the same general procedures and practices as other departments of the institution.

Academic focus. Student-athletes most often attend a college or university in Division III because of the excellent academic programs, creating a primary focus on learning and achievement of their degree.

The Division minimizes the conflicts between athletics and academics through shorter playing and practicing seasons, the number of contests, no red-shirting or out-of-season organized activities, and a focus on regional in-season and conference play.

Competing at a quality academic Division III institution that cares equally for it's academics and athletics is the purest example of being a college student-athlete. The idea of playing a sport because you want to, instead of because you have to, is much more invigorating to an athlete whether the success is great or in moderation.

At a Division III institution the choice to compete is at the digestion of each individual. The management of time is important to all college students, and the sooner it is learned the easier it is to survive in a competitive environment.

This is farthest from the truth. Competition at the D-III level can rival many of the other divisions in quality and competitiveness. There are many athletes, male or female, that are competing at the D III level that after a year or two in college can play at any level but chose to stay at D III to enjoy the full experience of a college education.

It has been said many times that only part of a college education stems from the classroom experience. The part, and arguably the most important part of a college education, that comes from the out of classroom experiences is extremely valuable. If you are competing at a Division I institution you are bound to that sport during the entire year. Hence, leaving little time for extracurricular activities that may enhance a college education. Learning comes in all forms, and should be investigated by all students during their college experience.

Division III athletics are an integral part of our educational system and should be considered by all student-athletes that seek to get a quality education while competing in the sport that they enjoy.

Take time to investigate all options and make an educated decision on what best fits you. It's not about getting a scholarship, getting drafted, or making SportsCenter. It's a deep need in us that comes from the heart. We need to practice, to play, to lift, to hustle, to sweat. We do it all for our teammates and for the student in our calculus class that we don't even know.

We don't practice with a future major league first baseman; we practice with a future sports agent. We don't lift weights with a future Olympic wrestler; we lift with a future doctor. We don't run with a future Wimbledon champion; we run with a future CEO. It's a bigger part of us than our friends and family can understand.