Playing college at the D3 level...what was it like?

[Anonymous]

My son was not recruited at the D1 level, but is being recruited by some very good liberal arts schools with established lacrosse programs. The coaches pitch all follow the same lines, that my son can get a fabulous education, play a sport he loves, but not lose out on the "college experience" to include other extracurricular activities. For those who played at the D3 college level, or those with kids who are doing so, what was the experience like?

[Anonymous]

I have heard playing sports at the D1 level is a full time job and student athletes do not have time for anything else (sport and school, that's it). D3 athletes on the other hand have time for additional activities like extracurriculars, clubs, greek life, socializing, internships, etc.

[Anonymous]

it depends on the level.

At the high end (NESCAC), it is pretty much similar to NCAA D1 in terms of time committment. In fact, D3 national champions would probably be a top 25 team in D1.

At lower levels, much less committment and more ability to do other things out of season (eg study abroad, other clubs).

[Anonymous]

The pitch was true in my experience. D1 kids are really athletes who do school on the side. D3 are well-rounded kids who can do both.

[Anonymous]

Lets be clear about the D3 vs. D1 comparison . Last year Penn 23 Cabrini 9 top 25 d1 still beats top d3. now if you go to the lower ranked d1 teams i would agree

[Anonymous]

So why do high school students work so hard for D1 spots in lacrosse when it's equivalent to a full time job, they have no life outside of their sport, and often even academics are secondary? Seems like D3 would be more attractive to students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:it depends on the level.

At the high end (NESCAC), it is pretty much similar to NCAA D1 in terms of time committment. In fact, D3 national champions would probably be a top 25 team in D1.

At lower levels, much less committment and more ability to do other things out of season (eg study abroad, other clubs).

Had a son playing for a NESCAC school at another playing for a top 20 D1 team. Absolutely no comparison in terms of time commitment and level of play. It was neat seeing my D1 on national tv occasionally. But my D3 son did things like a semester abroad and join a frat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So why do high school students work so hard for D1 spots in lacrosse when it's equivalent to a full time job, they have no life outside of their sport, and often even academics are secondary? Seems like D3 would be more attractive to students.

Look it's amazing if your kid ends up playing for UVA, Duke or Hop. But the vast majority of D1 players end up at second rate educational institutions (Bryant, Hobart, High Point) because their parents and hence they have never heard of let alone understand the lifetime value of graduating from a D3 SLAC like Williams, Haverford or Hamilton.

[Anonymous]

There are no scholarships at D3 so that’s one reason families don’t go down that recruitment path.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So why do high school students work so hard for D1 spots in lacrosse when it's equivalent to a full time job, they have no life outside of their sport, and often even academics are secondary? Seems like D3 would be more attractive to students.

Look it's amazing if your kid ends up playing for UVA, Duke or Hop. But the vast majority of D1 players end up at second rate educational institutions (Bryant, Hobart, High Point) because their parents and hence they have never heard of let alone understand the lifetime value of graduating from a D3 SLAC like Williams, Haverford or Hamilton.

Let's not also forget though that not all can hack it at a top rate academic institution as a non-athlete let alone with sports on their plate. Some also want a traditional college experience that may not be at a smaller school. A college experience at a traditional Power 5 school (or similar) - regardless of their level of lacrosse - is vastly different than any D3 school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So why do high school students work so hard for D1 spots in lacrosse when it's equivalent to a full time job, they have no life outside of their sport, and often even academics are secondary? Seems like D3 would be more attractive to students.

Look it's amazing if your kid ends up playing for UVA, Duke or Hop. But the vast majority of D1 players end up at second rate educational institutions (Bryant, Hobart, High Point) because their parents and hence they have never heard of let alone understand the lifetime value of graduating from a D3 SLAC like Williams, Haverford or Hamilton.

Let's not also forget though that not all can hack it at a top rate academic institution as a non-athlete let alone with sports on their plate. Some also want a traditional college experience that may not be at a smaller school. A college experience at a traditional Power 5 school (or similar) - regardless of their level of lacrosse - is vastly different than any D3 school.

Good point.

The D3 schools I know are all very rigorous academically and very small (1500 or fewer total students). Also the D3 schools are "liberal arts" schools so don't have a lot of practical majors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are no scholarships at D3 so that’s one reason families don’t go down that recruitment path.

If you're being honest, there really aren't much for scholarships at D1 schools either. Vast majority of lax players are not playing for a full scholarship or even half. The most I have heard is $10,000 and majority get nothing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are no scholarships at D3 so that’s one reason families don’t go down that recruitment path.

If you're being honest, there really aren't much for scholarships at D1 schools either. Vast majority of lax players are not playing for a full scholarship or even half. The most I have heard is $10,000 and majority get nothing.

If you're being honest, you will note that any coach-sponsored-recruit will find that FA makes up any gaps in tuition between family income and tuition/room and board.

[Anonymous]

May I ask you what year? Is he giving up as a 2023 already? I ask because my kid was being recruited by a decent D1, in a process that seemed like a virtual love fest, then was given a no by admissions in the pre-read. Pretty devastated. Just trying to figure out if he can start over with other D1s or call it quits. Anyway, sorry to hi-jack, just curious...

[Anonymous]

The good d3’s have already been recruiting, it’s not a matter of ‘giving up’ on D1. The top d3’s are not full of D1 rejects.