Many high school student-athletes are convinced that Division I is the best and only option when it comes to playing in college. So, when they finally get to to the recruiting process their main focus is playing Division I and not finding the school that fits their academic, athletic, and personal needs. This is what we call the DI Blinders. I have heard "I have to play Division I" more times than I would like to admit. We need more student-athletes to "Take the Blinders Off."
I believe this is the biggest pitfall kids make navigating through the college recruiting process. There is nothing wrong with keeping an open mind early on in the recruiting process. Student-Athletes should not overlook any opportunities that are presented to them, whether it is DI, DII, or DIII. The experience alone visiting schools and meeting with college coaches will provide enormous value as the recruiting process continues. As you look at what each opportunity or experience can offer you , you will start to gt a better idea of what will be the right fit.
Most students believe that the best teams and best players are at the Division I level. For the most part that is an accurate statement but that does not run true across the board. I know plenty of Division III student-athletes who were good enough to compete at the Division I level but wanted to a more balanced college experience, and there is nothing wrong with that. And I also know student-athletes who chose Division I but probably would have been a better fit athletically for DIII but were caught up in the DI .....
There are over 1,100 NCAA Institutions that offer varsity intercollegiate athletics. In addition, another 1,000 schools or so in other athletic associations like NAIA, NJCAA, NCCAA, USCAA, and others. There are schools that can offer you an incredible athletic experience while providing you with a excellent education to prepare you for your next stage in life. If you want to play in college than there is a program out there for you, you just need to find it.
Case Study
A female soccer player who had aspirations of playing at the highest level of college soccer. A very talented player who possessed strong academics built a list of some of the best Division I soccer programs on the East Coast. She began sending emails to the coaches to express interest in their programs. She attended a number of ID Showcases and Clinics over the course of the year. But didn't feel like she was receiving much interest from some of the coaches.
My Recommendation (Summer prior to Junior Year) To expand her list of schools and start adding some DII and DIII schools to the list. I provided a list of 10-15 DII and DIII schools where I thought she would be a good fit both academically and athletically.
When September 1 of junior year arrived her communication with many of the DI programs was very limited but she still wanted to pursue those opportunities. Some of those DI programs offered her a walk-on spot but she was not getting much interest as a scholarship player. Cost was not an issue for the family but she still wanted to play at the highest level. She continued attending Division I ID Clinics during the fall of her junior year and still wasn't receiving much love from the coaches.
It wasn't until December that she started to receive some interest but more from DII and DIII schools which were on her updated list. So, finally she changed her tune and started looking at some DII and DIII scchools. She began emailing with coaches, attending their ID Clinics, and arranging campus visits. In January she visited one of the DIII schools and just fell in love with the place. And after her visit, time spent with the coaching staff, and their ID Clinic. She knew it was the place for her. In early spring of her junior year after she made more campus visits she finally committed to that DIII program she visited in January.
She has been a two year starter and loving life at her school.
She ultimately ended up at a school that was the right fit for her. But there were many months where she was stressed out because of the process. She had feelings of doubt about her abilities. I believe she could have alleviated some of those stressful moments, if at the beginning she was looking at the DII and DIII opportunities as well as the DI programs.
Scenario
If you were a high school student-athlete who was maybe deciding between some smaller DI programs and Top Rated DIII programs do you know which you would choose? Maybe you were offered a walk-on opportunity at the Division I level and at the DIII program you could contribute immediately as well as compete for conference and national championships. Which direction would you go?
These are questions that prospective student-athletes need to address. It shouldn't be as cut and dry as DI, DII, or DIII but for many it is the allure of Division I that draws them in.
My P.S.A to those student-athletes about to embark on the college recruiting process.
- Keep an Open Mind
- Explore all of your opportunities
- Don't close the door too early on any school, program, or coach
- Don't burn any bridges
- Be open, honest, and upfront with all coaches
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