Her Space // editorial
INSIDE THE D-III EXPERIENCE
Opportunities abound beyond the Division I barrier
W
hen we talk about college lacrosse recruiting, the conversation too
often stops at Division I. Each year, I sit down with young players, and I ask them to outline their top three priorities for their collegiate experience. Next, I ask for a list of 20 schools they think fi t that framework. I’m often left with a list that doesn’t match, because their list contains only Division I programs. Division III offers
get overlooked, misinterpreted or downplayed. Washington and Lee coach Brooke
O’Brien and Dickinson coach Kim Lowry debunked the common misconceptions of D-III lacrosse.
“Division III is not competitive enough or too casual.”
LOWRY » The commitment level
is just as high [as D-I]. The only difference is the requirements that Division I programs may impose on its athletes that Division III may not.
O’BRIEN » The NCAA allows D-III
schools 16 days over a four-week period to practice during the fall, so we typically practice four times a week over four weeks. Our spring season is a six-day a week commitment [similar to D-I], so it is a signifi cant commitment to play D-III lacrosse as well.
“I can’t decide which sport I want to play in college, but feel that I have to choose.”
O’BRIEN » Our dual-sport athletes are not only our most athletic, but
laxmagazine.com — Kate Hickman Founder, Balance Lacrosse
also they just love to compete, which improves the training and competition environment for our whole team.
“I want to study abroad and pre- med. I can’t do those things and still play lacrosse.”
O’BRIEN » Our philosophy is that
academics are the priority. Students can take any classes that they want. We often have pre-med students. Also, the ability to study abroad in the fall is a very attractive option. We only ask that they study abroad in the fall or summer and that they come back in shape and prepared for the season’s start in January.
LOWRY » Currently, seven of our
eight juniors are studying abroad in places like Australia, Copenhagen, Barcelona and Bologna.
“I’m interested in Greek life. I can’t be in a sorority and play lacrosse.”
LOWRY » Whether it’s Greek
life or an a cappella group, we do not disallow our players to do anything. The beauty of the Division III experience is the balance between academics, athletics and extracurricular activities.
O’BRIEN » D-III women’s lacrosse
is made up of more than 260 programs with a wide variety of experiences, ability levels and commitment required. Student- athletes should [choose] the program that will provide them with the best fi t and overall college experience.
Good Read
“A KNOCK AT MY HEART”
The 117-page paperback book written by family matriarch Sue Powell includes short stories highlighting the childhood adventures of the fi ve Powell kids. Billed as a book about life, love, and lacrosse, it includes tales from the small rural town of West Carthage, N.Y., north of Syracuse, where the oldest Powells
CASEY’S TAKE
fi rst learned the sport after an elementary school gym teacher introduced them to its history and rules. The brothers talked about it that night at the dinner table, and a couple of weeks later, their father, Larry, handed Casey and Ryan each a stick. In a “Chicken Soup for the Soul” kind of way, “A Knock at My Heart” is full of humor and honesty, and is meant to be an entertaining read for young and old. Visit
KnockAtMyHeart.com for more information and writing from Sue Powell, including blog posts on tailgating tips, how Ryan Powell was nearly named Sebastian and what Syracuse’s iconic Head- Heart-Hustle slogan means to her sons.
— Corey McLaughlin
I’m proud of my mom for never giving up
on her dream. Thanks for the continued inspiration.
October 2015 » LACROSSE MAGAZINE 25
©JOHN MECIONIS
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