It’s no secret that the athletic teams at Colorado College are close-knit communities. In Rastall, tables of teams make it clear that many athletes think of their teammates as their best friends. After spending several hours every day together training, practicing, and playing, who can blame them for forming such close ties? While some may argue that Division III sports are a lower level of commitment, a day on the CC campus proves that being on a team means making a serious commitment, no matter what division you play for.
With only two Division I sports, women’s soccer and men’s hockey, most CC athletes know a thing or two about what it means to be DIII. As a highly academic campus, many CC athletes are drawn to DIII sports so that academics will still come first.
“I wanted to find a school that I loved and really wanted to go to, and if it worked out that I could run there, then great,” said sophomore Patty Atkinson of the women’s track and cross country team. “Choosing a school based on running instead of academics and the school itself seemed irrational to me. Academics are definitely a priority over running, which is the opposite for many Division I schools. They are so serious at some DI schools that it is common for coaches to push their athletes through injuries, further hurting them, but DIII really focuses on injury prevention and taking time off.”
Despite her appreciation of the benefits of being a DIII athlete, Atkinson did have one complaint: “DIII sports do get a lot less school spirit than DI sports do, it’s always hard to get people to come out to watch us run.”
Sophomore Bobby Roth of the men’s basketball team praised CC’s staff and trainers.
“I chose to play at CC because of the incredible staff they have to take care of all athletes; such as our strength and conditioning coaches and the whole athletic training staff,” said Roth. “I also love getting to know the other guys like they’re my brothers, but sometimes it can be hard finding enough hours in the day to get other homework and miscellaneous stuff done.”
Freshman Casey Torbet, women’s basketball, argued that CC specifically requires a larger commitment in comparison to other DIII schools.
“We definitely have a lot more on our plates in terms of classes and commitment to our teams than most college students and even some college athletes from other schools,” said Torbet.
Luckily, CC coaches understand the workload of these DIII athletes in the classroom. “Sometimes it gets hard especially during fourth week or when you have a big assignment due, but the coaches are great about being lenient with practice and always stressing that school comes first,” said sophomore Kilian Morales Coskran, men’s soccer.
CC DIII athletes have mastered time management, knowing that being an athlete also requires some sacrifice. “I wanted to play mostly for a sense of routine and structure in the relatively unscheduled days of college, but sometimes it’s hard because CC has so much to offer,” said sophomore Chelo Barton, women’s lacrosse. “I’ll want to go to a meeting or event, but I can’t because I have to spend several hours a day at practice and lift.”
Many other athletes recognize that their athletic commitments can be quite socially consuming.
“I think people might think of me as just a ‘lax bro,’ but it’s all worth it to me because it is fun to take something so seriously and build relationships with teammates that will never be broken,” said sophomore Hunter Henninger, men’s lacrosse.
Beyond the love of their sport, it seems every DIII athlete’s favorite part of their involvement is the bonds they make with their teammates.
“Being able to come into CC with a team where I immediately had the opportunity to meet new people who I knew I would be spending a lot of time with was a really great way to start my freshman year,” said junior Gillian Hyde, women’s tennis. “Each team has such a variety of people, so it’s great to meet people through your sport that you may not otherwise have gotten to know.”
Anna Grigsby, a freshman on the women’s volleyball team, agreed that the team dynamic was one of the most important factors in deciding to continue playing her sport in college. “I knew I wanted to be surrounded by people that were passionate about something I love,” said Grigsby. “I knew that since it was DIII, people weren’t getting scholarships since this division doesn’t offer them, so I knew we were all just choosing to play for the love of the game.”
Sophomore MaryRose Donahue, women’s diving, described her experience as a DIII athlete as nothing but positive.
“For me, the pros of being a DIII athlete at CC absolutely outweigh the cons,” Donahue said. “Being part of such a warm and enveloping team has transformed my time at CC. Having such a close knit team has helped ground me and find a sense of home I have not experienced anywhere else. Of course early morning weights and six days a week of practice are tiring, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
It seems that what really makes the commitment of being a DIII athlete worth it in the end is the love that is shared among the CC athletics community.