I would MUCH rather my child play d3 over d1. D3 your kid can put academics first and still competitively play the sport they love. There is a much better sport/academic/social life balance for d3. I see no downside

Anonymous wrote:

Our DC played on a travel team with a lot of players expecting D1 offers, including from T20 schools. In the end, three kids got D1 offers and none were T40 schools. They were not the flashy players with the pushy parents, but the hard working ones with the pleasant parents. Some others ended up with D3 offers and are enjoying it - but dang had to listen to those parents for five years go on and on about their DCs eventually playing at their Ivy alma maters.

Ha! I sometimes think this is the most painful part of high school sports.

Anonymous wrote:To some extent this is going to be determined by whether or not your son actually is D1 material as dad seems to think.

If this is a sport with no prospect of "going pro" after college, then really who cares if you play D1 or D3?

Been on sidelines for something similar with good friends' son. Great athlete, wanted to play D1 for a T20 school. Incurred an injury and off field the for six months. Learned that D1 coaches were most likely not interested. Has interest from a few top D3s. The dad wanted D1, but it's now getting real and recognizing that where he could probably play for D1 doesn't align with the kid's or family's desires.

Our DC played on a travel team with a lot of players expecting D1 offers, including from T20 schools. In the end, three kids got D1 offers and none were T40 schools. They were not the flashy players with the pushy parents, but the hard working ones with the pleasant parents. Some others ended up with D3 offers and are enjoying it - but dang had to listen to those parents for five years go on and on about their DCs eventually playing at their Ivy alma maters.

Anonymous wrote:Here's something for you. The main drawback of D3 is lack of athletic scholarships - is that his dad's concern?

https://lifeofacollegeathlete.weebly.com/pros-and-cons-of-division-iii-sports.html

https://www.theodysseyonline.com/real-pros-cons-d3-student-athlete

https://www.athletenetwork.com/blog/the-good-and-bad-of-a-d3-athlete

No, DS has the GI Bill, plus he's interested in small military schools (Norwich, USMMA, USCGA, etc.), so finances aren't as big of a consideration as they could be.

DH did D1. He cares about academics, but we're public university grads, so really any D1 school probably meets our academic standards.

Here's something for you. The main drawback of D3 is lack of athletic scholarships - is that his dad's concern?

https://lifeofacollegeathlete.weebly.com/pros-and-cons-of-division-iii-sports.html

https://www.theodysseyonline.com/real-pros-cons-d3-student-athlete

https://www.athletenetwork.com/blog/the-good-and-bad-of-a-d3-athlete

Anonymous wrote:To some extent this is going to be determined by whether or not your son actually is D1 material as dad seems to think.

If this is a sport with no prospect of "going pro" after college, then really who cares if you play D1 or D3?

D1 has scholarships, D3 doesn't. A quarterback who will never sniff the NFL or even a power conference can still attend a D1 school for free

In a D1 school, sports tend to be bigger part of the scene with more team spirit, more money for the teams, better attendance at games, etc. We had similar decision 2 years ago with our daughter but ultimately chose an academically rigorous D3 because she was not aiming to be a "professional athlete." She ended continuing her sport in college which at a D1 might have taken too much time form her studies. No regrets in choosing D3 over D1

To some extent this is going to be determined by whether or not your son actually is D1 material as dad seems to think.

If this is a sport with no prospect of "going pro" after college, then really who cares if you play D1 or D3?

His dad thinks your son should play D1?

It’s time for daddy to let the son make his own choices.

Anonymous wrote:16 yo DS is what passes for an elite athlete at his age, club and school. He's considering smaller schools not for the athletics, but the overall experience - thiugh hed love to continue with sports at college. His dad is against him participating in anything but D1. Does it matter if his college is already funded and he's not in need of a scholarship? Just want to make sure I'm not missing something.

What does dad think about Academics? or does he only have an opinion regarding Sports and bragging rights?

My child did a d3 sport (XCTF) as a “walk on.” They were not recruited & this was not a super selective school.

They had 6 days/week of mandatory practices + lifting. Did cross country, indoor track & outdoor track. Kid couldn’t choose to do just one of those seasons; it was all of them or none. Practices throughout January winter break & return to campus a week early in August.

Child ultimately decided the time commitment was too much for no scholarship or professional prospects in that sport, so quit after sophomore year. Teammates & coaches were great, but expectations of everyone were high. DC said it was a “cult” in some ways.

DS could potentially leverage his athletic ability to get into an elite D3 school if his academic stats are relatively strong.

Just one sport or multiple sports? D1 you can only do 1 sport. D3 you can pull off doing a fall and spring.....
Which sport and which schools D1?
Will he play as D1? If he will be benched first year, he might be interested in D2 or D3 for the playing time.
Is he also smart, have specific education goals? That may matter as well......

16 yo DS is what passes for an elite athlete at his age, club and school. He's considering smaller schools not for the athletics, but the overall experience - thiugh hed love to continue with sports at college. His dad is against him participating in anything but D1. Does it matter if his college is already funded and he's not in need of a scholarship? Just want to make sure I'm not missing something.