Student-athletes weigh benefits, detriments of Division III sports

The Panther spoke with Chapman student-athletes on the pros and cons of being a Division III athlete. JAKE NEEDHAM, Staff Photographer

An athletes’ college sports experience relies on several variables: competitive edge, team chemistry, team leadership, motivation, and so many others. But the most important, according to women’s volleyball player Erika Wiles — an integrated educational studies and Spanish double major  — is the balance between sports, academics and socialization. 

“At Division I levels, your life is completely consumed by your sport, whereas here it's just a part of who you are,” Wiles said. “You’re going to have more time for your studies, your friends and your social life.”

Nevertheless, volleyball still remains a big part of Wiles’  focus. Especially since she said volleyball is particularly competitive at the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC).

“I knew realistically where my (skill) level was, but I wanted to still be competitive, and I knew that Division III could offer that,” Wiles said.

The primary difference between Division III schools like Chapman and Division I or Division II schools is that Division III athletes cannot receive financial aid for athletic ability. Because there are no athletic scholarships, Division III student-athletes are required to pay full tuition, unless merit-based or need-based scholarships present themselves as opportunities.

For Chapman student-athletes, this makes for an expensive sports season.

Though playing in Division III is a bigger burden financially, Wiles found the educational benefits to be satisfactory. She is in a 4+1 master’s program that allows her to get her teaching credentials and undergraduate degree in five years. This opportunity played a key role in her choice to play at the Division III level. 

Athletes like golfer Dylan Horowitz, a freshman business administration major, also found educational benefits in the Division III environment. Horowitz is currently in the process of getting his real estate license — something he believes playing at the Division III level grants him the time to do. 

“I just really play for fun, and then I try to do as much stuff as I can in my free time,” Horowitz said. 

However, Horowitz also noted the apparent detriments to competing on a Division III scale. He said since the golf team does not have a dedicated space to practice on campus, they are forced to use public courses in the area where it can often be hard to get tee times. 

Charlene Ma, a senior integrated educational studies major on the women’s water polo team has also noticed a disparity within her program: the low budget. At times, she wishes there was more money to enhance the athlete experience, but ultimately she has enjoyed her experience as a Chapman student-athlete. 

“You don’t have that pressure that a Division I sport would have, but you are also still obligated to make a commitment to your team,” Ma said. “You still feel like you're playing a sport and doing something important, but it's fun and more relaxed.”

Even so, Horowitz and Ma concurred that this commitment is often overlooked by the university and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at large.

“A lot of decisions that the NCAA makes are obviously for the interest of Division I sports,” Ma said. “We are kind of put on the back burner.”

Horowitz attested to the same sentiment, drawing from examples of the many “solid players” that compete in Division III sports but don’t get the recognition. 

Recognition or not, Ma said that she is a more confident leader and person because of her involvement in Division III athletics, and that counts for just about everything.