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As many of you know, I’ve had two fantastic experiences at the DIII level and hold DIII week near and dear each year whether I am coaching at that level or not. As a coach with experience in DI, DII, and DIII that played DII, I love the opportunities that DIII provides athletes of all skill levels to pursue their dreams.
I got my start in collegiate coaching at Rhodes College, a high academic DIII program in Memphis TN. Starting out coaching at the DIII level taught me more than I ever imagined it would. I learned how to be the most efficient data driven coach I could be to take advantage of the short fall season. I learned how to support athletes as they balanced their athletic pursuits with their other passions. Later in my coaching career, I became a head DIII coach at Canton, a state school in Upstate NY. I absolutely loved being able to say YES to almost anything that my athletes wanted to accomplish outside of softball.
DIII changed my perspective on coaching, and I will forever be better for it. Travel coaches, parents, and players - I urge you to consider what each individual athlete wants to accomplish with BOTH their athletic AND academic pursuits. Each recruiting journey is 100% unique to the individual and it’s about what the best FIT for you is!
I wanted to share some of the things I’ve been able to say yes to at the DIII that I may (emphasis on may, each program is different!) not be able to say yes to at the DI or DII levels.
Your recruiting journey, just like your life, is 100% unique to YOU. There is no “right time” to do anything let alone commit to a school (because you really are committing to the school, and not the softball program). DIII should not be considered a back up plan or a last resort, and I wish more travel ball coaches would ditch that mentality. Some of my most successful (and favorite!) mentors are DIII coaches. Some of the most talented athletes I have coached are DIII athletes who CHOSE to play DIII for their own unique reasons! Division III will always have a special place in my heart, and I will always support and encourage athletes to at least consider it as they decide what they want their athletic and academic future to look like!
I got my start in collegiate coaching at Rhodes College, a high academic DIII program in Memphis TN. Starting out coaching at the DIII level taught me more than I ever imagined it would. I learned how to be the most efficient data driven coach I could be to take advantage of the short fall season. I learned how to support athletes as they balanced their athletic pursuits with their other passions. Later in my coaching career, I became a head DIII coach at Canton, a state school in Upstate NY. I absolutely loved being able to say YES to almost anything that my athletes wanted to accomplish outside of softball.
DIII changed my perspective on coaching, and I will forever be better for it. Travel coaches, parents, and players - I urge you to consider what each individual athlete wants to accomplish with BOTH their athletic AND academic pursuits. Each recruiting journey is 100% unique to the individual and it’s about what the best FIT for you is!
I wanted to share some of the things I’ve been able to say yes to at the DIII that I may (emphasis on may, each program is different!) not be able to say yes to at the DI or DII levels.
- A graduating senior completed a 600 hour internship during season getting her reps in every day at 6:30am. She missed practices to make up the internship hours she missed while we traveled.
- We never had to say no to a major - we could always find a way to make it work.
- 3 two sport athletes who started in both sports.
- 4 players are now pursuing a medical degree.
- 14 players were also active in their sorority.
- More than half of the student-athletes have also held a job during the school year.
Your recruiting journey, just like your life, is 100% unique to YOU. There is no “right time” to do anything let alone commit to a school (because you really are committing to the school, and not the softball program). DIII should not be considered a back up plan or a last resort, and I wish more travel ball coaches would ditch that mentality. Some of my most successful (and favorite!) mentors are DIII coaches. Some of the most talented athletes I have coached are DIII athletes who CHOSE to play DIII for their own unique reasons! Division III will always have a special place in my heart, and I will always support and encourage athletes to at least consider it as they decide what they want their athletic and academic future to look like!
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