Choosing between divisions when committing to college is one of an athlete’s biggest decisions; each path offers different advantages and disadvantages.
D1 colleges offer more competitive and athletic advantages but often require a lot of time commitments that can affect academics and social life.
Indiana university D1 men’s soccer commit Dempsey Resich, a senior at PVHS, said “The main factors that made me choose D1 over other divisions was the competition and goals I had set for myself.”
Resich explained that it was clear to him even before the recruitment process that he wanted to compete at the D1 Level.
Resich is not concerned about the rigorous training schedule that comes along with being a D1 athlete; he is “…used to an intense schedule.”
He said it ultimately came down to finding a university that offered both elite competition and a great program for his major.
D3 advantages include less intense practice and more time for a social life and academics.
D3 Emerson women’s soccer commit Finlee Mills, a senior at PVHS, chose a path that would help her balance her studies and benefit her the most in her future.
She says she chose D3 over any other division level because she wanted to prioritize her academics while still gettig to pursue her athletic career.
Unlike the demanding schedules of D1 and D2 programs, where athletes have prioritized their sport over everything else, Mills found that the D3 level supplied more ways to balance both her athletics and academics.
She can continue to perform at a high level and compete against other talented athletes but instead of spending countless hours in mandatory practices, film studies and long travel days she can spend more time on her classes and the overall college experience.
A less demanding schedule allows her to join campus activities and organizations, build friendships and fully integrate into college outside of just the soccer field.
Mills said, “A lot of my friends are division one athletes, and it is a lot more competitive.’’ But, she is confident in her choice.
The decision between divisions comes down to the individual athlete, their values, and what they are looking to experience in college.
There is no “right” path.
Both Resich and Mills demonstrate that success is really only defined by what feels right for you.