Is Playing Sports at NCAA Division I overrated?
Most Athletes that dream of playing Collegiate sports must have noticed that there is this hype about Division I. Encouraged by social media platforms, trainers and advisors who all have the best intentions, the world wide web shows more myths than facts regarding D.I Athletics.
I think it is time to humble down on some of these statements. Eventually this should be about young Athletes and making the right choices with them. Where someone should extend their sports career has nothing to do with hyping up a certain level over others.
“Is playing sports at NCAA Division I overrated?” will help you separate stories from reality. And might make you think twice if the hype about ‘going D.I’ is worth all the attention…
Is playing sports at NCAA division I overrated?
The different divisions explained: Division I
The NCAA is the National Collegiate Athletic Association has more than 350 schools as members. The NCAA operates in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Since 1973, there are three different divisions. In order to be considered a Division I program, there need to be at least 16 different sports offered at a school (a minimum of 14 at non-football schools). As a High School or JUCO Athlete, you have about 2% chance to play sports at the Divison I level. Division I is the most competitive level to perform at. Athletics are top priority which means that besides Sports and Academics there is not much free time left.
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Is playing sports at NCAA division I overrated?
The different divisions explained: Division II
The NCAA offers two more levels. NCAA Division II Athletes reflect about 10% of the total Division II students. Athletics is still at a very high level yet the combination with Academics is less intense than at Division I. When it comes Athletic aid, a lot of Athletes receive partial scholarships.
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Is playing sports at NCAA division I overrated?
The different divisions explained: Division III
If you happen to be a multi-sports Athlete, and you would like to play different sports in College, Division III is a great choice. If you happen to be an Athlete but getting an Academic degree has as much of a priority as playing sports, Division III would be a good fit. Compared to Division II and III, where the NCAA sets eligibility rules, at the Division III level schools set their own requirements. When it comes to Athletic scholarships, Division III programs only grant financial aid or academic support. There are strict rules that the type of aid can not be related to Athletics.
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Is playing sports at NCAA division I overrated?
Are there alternatives to the NCAA?
There is another Association besides the NCAA that handles the interests of smaller Colleges. These Colleges are private or faith based. The NAIA, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is responsible for 250 schools and more than 75.000 Athletes. Compared to the various NCAA levels, the average NAIA school is equal to Division III. There are also Athletic scholarships available. There is a more moderate balance between Sports, Academics and Student life. The schools that perform on NAIA’s highest level, can be compared with NCAA Division II.
Click here to learn more about the NAIA & how it differs from the NCAA
Is playing sports at NCAA division I overrated?
Where can playing for a Junior College get me?
In order to be admitted to a NCAA Division I or II school, or a NAIA program, Athletes need to be eligible grades wise. If you don’t meet the requirements set by any of these programs, you can attend a Junior College for one or two years. After you are eligible, you can transfer to a NCAA or NAIA school. As far as for Athletics, this means you have an extra opportunity to play for your JUCO team and be recruited by Coaches. If you do well at JUCO, your transition into College is smoother and you might be a little more mature than incoming High school Athletes. The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) is the organization responsible for Junior College Sports.
Click here to learn more about the NJCAA and Junior College Athletics
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Is Playing Sports at NCAA Division I overrated?
The truths about playing Division I
- It is very competitive at the Division I level. Getting an Athletic scholarship and being able to compete as much as you would like is not a given
- Just because you want to play Division I, does not mean you are good enough
- Winning is everything at Division I. There is a lot at stake for programs and a lot is related to finances. This means the culture feels very pressured and intense
- By the end of their sophomore year, a lot of High School Athletes that started at Division I, have transferred out to Division II programs or stopped all together
- You need to have great work ethics and must be prone to handling setbacks (injuries, mental health) on your own, away from loved ones
- You have to love your sport and teammates so much that you are okay sacrificing most of your breaks as the season is in full swing and games and practices are scheduled even without school being in session
"Just because you want to play Division 1
does not mean you are good enough for D.1"
does not mean you are good enough for D.1"
Is Playing Sports at NCAA Division I overrated?
The myths of playing Division I
- If I go Division I it is guaranteed I will get a full ride (scholarship 100% covered)
- Athletics is more important than Academics; You might get recruited and awarded an Athletic Scholarship but that does not mean you can let your GPA slide.
- I am the best player on my varsity team so it will be easy for me, playing Division I. Nothing at Division I is going to compare how you experienced high school. Different coaching style, a lot of pressure and most likely you are on your own and far away from your family and friends.
- I can only play professionally overseas if I have gone Division I. This is not true. A professional career abroad demands besides athletic talent, an independent character. The athletes who have learned to take care of themselves and adapt easier to new circumstances might do better than Division I athletes who are used to everything being scheduled and managed for them.
- I feel I have failed if I have to continue my studies and Athletics at a Division II school. There are many reasons why Athletes leave a Division I program, but mostly it has to do with not enough playing time. Your athletic career at Division II might be a better fit if it means you are where you blossom best.
- Playing Football, Baseball or Basketball at a Division I school will for sure land me in the NFL, MLB, WNBA or NBA. The percentage of High School Athletes making it to Division I was around 2%. When it comes to Division I Athletes that end up being professional athletes, is even less than 2%
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Is Playing Sports at NCAA Division I overrated?
So what is the D.I hype all about?
Social Media Platforms show us daily that College sports and especially Division I Athletics is a booming business. Games and tournaments are broadcasted on national television and live streamed on laptops and cellphones. Athletes have turned into entrepreneurs and influencers. Young athletes looking up to their idols see the image that the only place to be is Division I.
Parents of younger Athletes and the trainers, Coaches and advisors they turn to, are also influencing the hype. Elementary school kids that have been only playing sports a couple years are now being ‘ranked’. And there are parents that might read too much into this. Club owners, tournament organizers and whoever else it is that is into the ‘ranking business’, might also do this from a marketing and business point of view.
Parents of young Athletes currently spend a lot of money getting their kids at tournaments for ‘exposure’. Social Media is full of talented Athletes that are all expecting to be recruited by Division I Coaches. There is a chance though that by the time these kids are half way through High School, they perform at the same level as all their peers.
Is Playing Sports at NCAA Division I overrated?
Go where you feel it is the best fit for you
Coming to the conclusion whether “the hype about Division I is worth all the attention”, I would like to end with a word of advice. Once you have started your recruiting process and you are learning about all the different NCAA levels and organizations like the NAIA, you will get a better feel of your options.
There are a lot of factors that eventually will help you come to your choice of school. What most Sports Coaches will tell you during your recruiting process though, is to not just choose their program because they showed interest. In order to have a successful experience as an Athlete, you should go where you feel the best fit is for you. And this means your overall experience with Athletics, academics and student life.
"When it comes to your Athletic and Academic Career,
choose the school where you fit best"
choose the school where you fit best"
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