College Track: DIII to Big Ten Transfer Trend

McKena Ramos won two national titles as a freshman at UW-Oshkosh. This achievement triggered a major career move. He transferred to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The jump from Division III to the Big Ten is becoming a common path. Many student-athletes are now making this specific transition.

Ramos arrived at Oshkosh as a recruited runner. His coaches expected strong performance but not immediate dominance. Eamon McKenna, the track and cross-country coach, noted that Ramos was often under the radar. Ramos privately set a goal for himself. He decided that winning a national championship as a freshman would justify the move up. He then won the indoor 800-meter and outdoor 1500-meter titles.

The move to Madison has brought significant changes. Ramos now competes at a higher intensity level. He says the competition is the biggest difference. Every opponent is at his level or above. This pressure has helped him improve his times. He also values the opportunity to compete on larger stages. The travel and visibility are major draws for him.

Ramos is not the only athlete making this jump. Several high-profile players have moved from DIII to the Big Ten recently. Every school in the conference has at least one such transfer. In football, two Badgers have followed a similar path. Ricky Finco, a junior wide receiver, transferred from UW-Whitewater. He now plays mainly on the scout team. Ryan Ramczyk, an offensive lineman, moved from UW-Stevens Point. He had an All-American season in Madison, which boosted his NFL Draft prospects.

However, the move does not work for everyone. Emma Paulson tried the DIII to D-I switch in swimming. She concluded it was not the right fit for her. She transferred back to a DIII school, the University of St. Thomas. Paulson noted that different athletes have different needs. What works for one person may not work for another. She prioritized a culture that matched her lifestyle.

At St. Thomas, Paulson finished her career with major honors. She won three individual national championships. She also earned nine individual All-American designations. Her times met D-I standards, but the environment felt different. She described D-I swimming as taking over her life. In contrast, DIII is just a part of her life. This balance was crucial for her satisfaction.

Resources differ significantly between the two levels. DIII schools do not offer athletic scholarships. Their facilities are generally smaller in scale. D-I schools tend to invest more in programs and infrastructure. Ramos noted that the actual workouts are similar. However, Madison has amenities like ice baths that Oshkosh lacked. He also credited the Fetzer Center for academic support. This includes tutoring and the ability to take exams while traveling.

Paulson has a different academic experience at St. Thomas. She is held to the same standards as non-athletes. There are no designated academic services for athletes. Both athletes say they would make the same choice again. Ramos stated that he is absolutely happy. Competing for Madison had been his dream since middle school.

Coach McKenna offers cautious advice to athletes in similar situations. He notes that standing out in DIII creates opportunities. The key question is whether an athlete can maintain dominance. An athlete must ask if they can replace what makes them special at their current school. This self-assessment is critical before making the jump.