At Wright State University, athletes can choose two very different paths: compete on a D1 team or join a club team and face off against other schools. Both give a chance to represent the school, but the experience has some differences.
Club sports
Club sports offer students the chance to be on a school team while still being able to focus on their education and balance other activities, like social outings, more easily.
Sophomore club football player Trevor Hardin talked about why he chose club sports.
“In high school, I played a lot of sports, and then I kind of just didn’t know who I was without playing sports. I got to school and I figured out there [were] other options other than just athletics, so I then ended up joining football and competition cheer once I got here," Hardin said.
Even though WSU has D1 teams, there are other ways to play your sport. Club teams offer more variety and even give students the chance to start a brand-new team of their own.
D1 sports
Being a D1 athlete takes a lot of dedication and can take away from experiencing campus life. Between practices, games and travel, there can be less time to hang out with friends, join clubs or otherwise enjoy the typical college experience. Time management is essential for those who join D1 sports.
Senior basketball player Bryan Etumnu discussed his experiences and challenges as a D1 athlete.
“You know if you don’t have time management and organization skills, you know stuff can get really rough. When it comes to trying to go to classes and balancing practices with classes and traveling just to add on top of all that, [it's tough]," Etumnu said.
Being a D1 athlete comes with many challenges, especially with travel being a constant requirement. Organization and time management are just as important as athletic ability; without them, keeping up with both school and sports can quickly become overwhelming.
However, joining a D1 sport can boost your college experience.
“I feel like it enhances [the college experience], to be honest. You know, not every person in college is able to say I was a D1 athlete and I got to do certain things like travel and play these other schools and go to these events.” Etumnu said.
While being a D1 athlete comes with tough demands and time constraints, it also offers unique opportunities and experiences that go beyond the typical college life.
Being an athlete
Being an athlete takes dedication and hard work, but it is not just about playing the sport. Building strong bonds with your team and sharing a hardworking mindset is just as important.
No matter how you choose to represent yourself as an athlete, the values and sense of competition stay the same. Whether it is D1 or a club team, hard work, teamwork and dedication is always part of the game.
“Both NCAA and club sports offer unique benefits and drawbacks that can influence a student-athlete’s college experience. It’s essential to weigh these factors to determine which path aligns best with individual goals and preferences," the University of Bridgeport wrote.
There are many things to consider when becoming a college athlete, but there is no right or wrong choice. It all depends on the person and how they want to experience college life.
