choochooCharlie wrote: ↑Tue Dec 19, 2023 8:18 am
I’ll say this, all the NESCAC dads on here know what DI offers their sons got. They could’ve “gone DI,” but chose the academics/notoriety of the NESCAC. That’s commendable, and no one can take that away from them. That’s where it ends. Their sons weren’t finished products coming out of high school. If they think that their sons wouldn’t be stronger, and more skilled, after 4 years of the added training and practice that a DI regimen mandates, they’re out to lunch. Meanwhile, similarly talented players coming out of high school (maybe just as academically gifted/driven, maybe not) DID chose DI, and did have the rigorous DI regimen for 4+ years. Remember when your kid was young, all the things you would tell him about how wallball would improve his skills? Well it turns out you were right, more practice actually makes you better. The rest boils down to coaching. Imagine how great Coach D’Annolfo would have these kids playing if he got the time of practice that DI offers?
You are implying that every D1 program has a better workout program /facilities and better coaching than top D3. They don’t. As I mentioned earlier, my son has ex teammates playing at all levels of college lax. Only two of them are playing with top 10 D1 programs. And yes, they are getting better coaching and have better facilities. Even some mid level programs like Navy have better facilities. But top D3 programs are having just as many lifting and practice days as D1 teams are getting. Salisbury and Tufts, have better coaching and facilities than lower D1 schools. Winter break is here now, and several of these D1 kids have come by the house. They all seem to be changing/growing at similar pace.
We have family friends and he has ex teammates at some of those lower level D1 programs that have been mentioned. They don’t have the same scholarship money or the same facilities as top level teams. And many top D3 programs have better facilities than lower level D1 facilities.
Your argument is solid, if we are talking about top 25 teams. But this conversation is about low level D1 programs vs top level D3.
These kids still get together for summer leagues and the kids from top D3 programs are comparable to the D1 kids.