For boys and girls participating on club lacrosse teams, playing in college is a dream many share. Being recruited to the NCAA ranks offers players an opportunity to compete at a high level, pursue an education and continue improving the game they love.

However, for too many players, this dream is often Division I or bust. 

I can still remember my first time stepping on a college campus for an official tour. It was a smaller Division III school in North Carolina, and before my dad could open the car door I told him, “This isn’t it.” He encouraged me to keep an open mind and gain the experience of taking an official tour, but as a stubborn 16-year-old, I had already made up my mind.

While Division I lacrosse gets the most attention, press and prestige, the college decision is about so much more than the hours you spend on the field.

There are many other factors that go into the decision-making process that will influence your future: Does the school have your intended major? Do you want a big or a small school? Do you want to be far from home? How much are you willing to pay for school if no scholarships are available? All of these factors should outweigh whether or not the schools’ playoff games will be broadcast on ESPN. 

In Jackie Burrell’s article, “What Does NCAA Division I, II or III Mean?” she breaks down what goes into participating at the various levels. At the end of the day, it’s largely based on school size. Most D-I schools simply have a larger student population than D-II or D-III schools. There are 115 schools that offer Division I women’s lacrosse, 141 schools in Division II and 287 in Division III, in addition to more than a hundred collegiate club programs throughout the country.

As I began to explore options outside of Division I, I realized there were many programs that were just as competitive, just as dedicated and more importantly, a better fit for me on and off the field. I ended up committing to Shepherd University, a first-year D-II program in West Virginia where I was a member of the first official recruiting class to sign a National Letter of Intent.

While I may not have championship rings or ESPN footage to show for my years of playing, I do have a great education, the confidence I gained from starting every game since stepping on campus, the leadership skills I acquired from being a captain for three out of my four years and the history I made as an inaugural member of the Rams. 

About The Author:

A St. Mary’s (Md.) native, Christina Ferrara was a competitive swimmer before falling in love with lacrosse. She was a three-year captain at Division II Shepherd (W.Va.).